HE 

VERS/TY 


•KANSAS; 


ITS 


INTERIOR  AND    EXTERIOR   LIFE-. 


INCLUDING 


A  FULL  VIEW   OF    ITS    SETTLEMENT,    POLITICAL    HISTORY, 

SOCIAL  LIFE,  CLIMATE,  SOIL,  PRODUCTIONS, 

SCENERY,  ETC. 


BY 

SARA  T.  L.  ROBINSON. 


TK  r 


UNIVERSITY    )j 

BOSTON: 

CROSBY,    NICHOLS    AND    COMPANY. 

CINCINNATI:    GEORGE    S.    BLANCHARD. 

LONDON  :   SAMPSON  LOW,  SON   &   CO. 

1856. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1856,  by 

CROSBY,  NICHOLS  &  CO., 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


Stereotyped    by 
HOBART    &    BOBBINS, 


PREFACE. 


THIS  work,  now  offered  to  the  public,  has  been  written  amid 
all  the  inconveniences  of  tent  life.  Its  pages  were  penned 
during  a  three  months'  residence  of  the  authoress  in  the  United 
States  Camp,  at  Lecompton,  with  her  husband,  one  of  the  state 
prisoners. 

If  a  bitterness  against  the  "  powers  that  be "  betrays  itself, 
let  the  continual  clanking  of  sabres,  and  the  deafening  sound 
of  heavy  artillery  in  the  daily  drills  of  the  soldiery,  aids  in 
crushing  freemen  in  Kansas,  —  the  outrages  hourly  committed 
upon  peaceable  and  unarmed  men,  —  the  daily  news  of  some 
friend  made  prisoner,  or  butchered  with  a  malignity  more  than 
human,  —  the  devastation  of  burning  homes,  by  the  connivance 
of  the  Governor,  under  the  eye  of  the  troops,  and  no  power 
given  them  to  save  an  oppressed  people,  —  be  placed  in  the 
balance  against  a  severe  judgment. 

If  the  simple  recital  serves  to  strengthen  in  any  the  love 
of  liberty,  or  to  arouse  in  others  a  hatred  to  tyranny,  then  will 
its  mission  have  been  accomplished. 

"  God  give  us  Men  !    A  time  like  this  demands 
Strong  minds,  great  hearts,  true  faith,  and  ready  hands  ; 
Men  whom  the  lust  of  office  does  not  kill  ; 
Men  whom  the  spoils  of  office  cannot  buy  ; 


IV  PREFACE. 


Men  who  possess  opinion  and 

Men  who  have  honor,  —  men  who  will  not  lie  ; 
Men  who  can  stand  before  a  demagogue, 

And  damn  his  treacherous  flatteries  without  winking 
Tall  men,  sun-crowned,  who  live  above  the  fog 

In  public  duty,  and  in  private  thinking  ; 
For  while  the  rabble,  with  their  thumb-worn  creeds, 
Their  large  professions,  and  their  little  deeds,  — 
Mingle  in  selfish  strife,  lo  !  Freedom  weeps, 
Wrong  rules  the  land,  and  waiting  Justice  sleeps  I  " 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Great  American  Desert  —  Opening  of  California  —  Colonel  Fremont's  Route  — 
Kansas  —  Scenery  —  Soil  —  Climate  —  Extent  of  the  Missouri  Compromise 
—  Its  Repeal  —  Blue  Lodge  —  Meetings  in  Missouri, 1 

CHAPTER    II. 

THE   FIRST   ELECTION   AND    FIRST   INVASION. 

New  England  Aid  Company  —  First  Parties — Lawrence  —  First  Election  — 
Census  —  First  Winter  —  Second  Invasion  —  Protests  —  Meeting  at  Leaven- 
worth,  10 

CHAPTER    III. 

EASTERN   EMIGRATION BORDER   MEN. 

Kansas  City,   Mo.  —  Westport  —  Baptist  Mission  —  Election-day  —  Threats 
Against  Gov.  Reeder  —  Members  Elect  of  Legislature  —  Mission  Church •»-/ 
Ride  to  Lawrence  —  Scenery, <99r 

CHAPTER  IV. 

LAWRENCE. 
Drives  in  the  Country— Calls  on  Pioneers  —  First  Attendance  at  Church,  .  36 

CHAPTER  V. 

KANSAS    HOMES. 

Death  of  Mrs.  T.  —  Scarcity  of  Provisions  —  Arrival  of  a  Friend  —  A  Gentle 
man  from  Massachusetts  —  Silver  Mist  —  City  People  in  Kansas  —  Spider- 
wort  —  Company  —  Sabbath-School  —  Heavy  Showers — Homes  —  Steamer  — 
Election  —  Tour  in  the  Country  —  Emigration  —  Visit  to  a  Friend  —  Hard 
ships  of  Settlers —Preaching  on  Capitol  Hill  —  Death  of  Dr.  Clark,  .  .  43 
1* 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    VI. 

ILLS   OP   PIONEER   LIFE. 

Cold  Weather  —  Communion  —  Cholera  —  Rattlesnakes  —  Sickness  —  Oppres 
sion —  A  Night  in  an  open  House  and  heavy  Shower  —  Morning  Ride  — 
Fourth  of  July  —  Pro-Slavery  Rage  —  Visit  at  Dr.  B.'s  —  Rumors  of  War  — 
Assault  upon  Mr.  C.  —  "  Fish's  "  Company, 62 

CHAPTER    VII. 

KANSAS   LAWS GOV.    SHANNON. 

Rains  —  Laws  —  Government  Officials  —  Convention  at  Lawrence  —  Street 
Broils  —  Leavenworth  Herald  —  Camp  Meeting — Gov.  Shannon  —  Hunga 
rian  Doctor  —  Gov.  Shannon  at  Westport  —  Western  Emigrants  —  Free 
Negro  —  Gov.  Shannon  Visits  Lecompton  —  Delegate  Convention  at  Topeka, 

—  Convention  at  Lawrence  —  Rumors  of  Invasion, 79 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

GENERAL  DISCOMFORTS MURDER   OF   DOW. 

Prairie  Fires  —  Cold  —  Constitutional  Convention  —  Military  Supper  —  Mr.  C. 
ill  —  General  Sickness  —  Returned  Emigrants  —  Death  of  Dow  —  Branson 
Rescue  —  Meeting  at  Lawrence, 95 

CHAPTER  IX. 

WAKARUSA   WAR PREPARATIONS. 

Judge  Lecompte  at  November  Court  —  Grand  Mass  Convention  at  Leavenworth 

—  News  from  the  Border  —  Woodson's  Despatch  —  Reinforcements  at  Law 
rence —  Enemy's  Camp  —  Missouri  Despatches  —  Meeting  at  Lawrence  — 
Gen.  Clark  shoots  his  Friend  —  Strong  Defences  will  save  Bloodshed  —  Mc- 
Crea's  Escape, 112 

CHAPTER   X. 

WAKARUSA    WAR INCIDENTS. 

Gov.  Shannon's  Proclamation  —  "  Sheriff  Jones  "  at  Lawrence  —  A  Vermonter 

—  Pro-Slavery  Men  leave   Town  —  Our  Men  drilling  —  Guard  fired  upon 

—  The  Messrs.  P.  escape  from  Missourians  —  Western  Neighbors  —  Messen 
gers  to  Gov.  Shannon —  A  Dream, 128 

CHAPTER   XI. 

DEATH  OF  BARBER THE  TREATY. 

Guard  fired  upon  —  Messengers  taken  Prisoners  —  Rescuers  —  Howitzer  — 
Barber  shot  —  Gov.  Shannon's  Pass  —  The  Governor  at  Lawrence  —  Depreda- 


CONTENTS.  VII 

lions  —  Terrible  Night  —  Generals  R.  and  L.  visit  Franklin  —  Dissatisfaction 
of  the  Invading  Army  —  The  Treaty — Dinner  —  Meeting  at  Council-Room 

—  Rumor  from  the  Camp  —  Commission  of  Generals  R.   and   L.  —  Peace 
Party  — Released  Prisoners— Present  Lull, 141 

CHAPTER    XII. 

FUNERAL  OF  BARBER DEATH  OF  R.  P.  BROWN. 

Election  for  State  Constitution  —  Affray  at  Leaven  worth  —  Funeral  of  Barber 

—  S.    and   T.   taken   to    Lecompton  —  Convention   at  Lawrence  —  Severe 
Weather  —  Destitution  —  Outrage  at  Leavenworth  —  Kickapoo   Pioneer  — 
Little   Boy  — Clear  Morning  — Odd   Sleighs  —  Attack  at  Easton— R.  P. 
Brown  killed  —  Men  driven  from  their  Homes  —  Death  of  Major  Robinson 

—  Ride  after  a  Mule  —  New  Plans  of  the  Enemy  —  Kickapoo  Pioneer  —  The 
Interposition  of  God  —  Provisions  —  A  Winter  to  be  remembered,      .   .  160 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    WINTER   IN    THE   TERRITORY  —  STATE   LEGISLATURE. 

Cabins  in  the  Forts  —  Firing  —  Our  People  —  Atchison's  Letter  —  Settlers' 
Endurance  —  The  Probability  of  Attack  —  Indiana  —  A  Wedding  —  Eastern 
Newspapers  —  Correspondence  of  Gov.  Shannon  and  Maj.  Clark  —  Presi 
dent's  Message  —  The  Twenty-second  of  February  —  River  open — Legisla 
ture —  Rumors  of  Arrest  —  Religious  Societies  —  Osawattomie  —  Hampden 

—  Topeka  — Wabousa  —  Manhattan  —  Council  City  —  State  Officers  —  Sharpe's 
Rifles  taken  at  Lexington — Corner-stone  of  Unitarian  Church  laid  —  Our 
House  finished  —  Calls  on  Settlers  —  Receptions, 177 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

COMMITTEE    OF   INVESTIGATION  —  "  SHERIFF   JONES  "   SHOT. 

April  —  Quiet  —  Emigration  —  Arrests  —  Committee  of  Investigation  —  Re 
hearsal  —  "  Sheriff  Jones  "  shot  —  Meeting  at  Lawrence  —  Fugitive  from 
Arrest  —  Incidents  —  The  People  indignant  —  Attempt  to  excite  the  Mis- 
sourians, 196 

CHAPTER    XV. 

REDOUBLED   EFFORTS  FOR   A   NEW    INVASION. 

May-party  at  Hotel  —  New  Outrages  —  The  Committee  of  Investigation  at 
Tecumseh  —  Visit  at  Topeka  —  Big  Springs  —  Washington  —  Incidents  — 
Tecumseh  —  A  Friend's  Cabin  —  Boarding  House  —  Buford's  Men  —  Judge 
Lecompte's  Charge  to  Grand  Jury —  A  Writ  of  Attachment  for  Gov.  Reeder — 
The  Marshall  Proclamation — Pro-Slavery  Letters  —  Continual  Outrages 
upon  Free-State  Men  in  the  Territory  and  in  Missouri,  ........  209 


VIII  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

THE   ATTACK    UPON   LAWRENCE. 

Rumors  of  the  threatened  Attack  —  Letters  to  the  Governor  and  Marshal,  with 
their  replies  —  Miller  arrested  —  Gov.  Shannon's  Reply  to  the  Messrs. 
Eldridge  —Jones  and  Stewart  killed  — The  Sacking  of  Lawrence,  ...  229 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

THE    "REIGN   OF   TERROR"    IN   KANSAS. 

Robberies  between  Lawrence  and  Kansas  City —  The  U.  S.  Mail  Searched  — 
"  Reign  of  Terror"  at  Leavenworth  —  Dr.  R.  and  Mr.  M.  taken  Prisoners  — 
Marshal  Donaldson's  Pass —  Officers  in  the  Invaders'  Camp  —  Gov.  Shannon 

—  Outrages, 249 

CHAPTER   XVIII. 

ARREST  OF  G.  JENKINS  AND  G.  W.  BROWN  —  ARREST  OF  GOVERNOR 
ROBINSON. 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

EXCITEMENT   IN    MISSOURI OUTRAGES   IN    THE   TERRITORY. 

Trip  up  the  River  —  Excitement  at  Kansas  City —  Battle  at  Prairie  City  — 
Missourians  driven  out  —  Sack  of  Osawattornie — Judge  C.  and  Mr.  C. 
ordered  away  from  Lecompton  —  Attempted  Arrest  of  Judge  C.  —  Murder 
of  Cantrell  —  Outrage  upon  Messrs.  Bailey,  Hill,  Barlow,  Rev.  Mr.  Webster, 
and  others, 273 

CHAPTER    XX. 

TWO    WEEKS   IN   JUNE   ON   THE   MISSOURI    BORDER. 
Pro-Slavery  Men  —  Gov.  Robinson's  Guard  —  Gov.  Shannon  and  Col.  Sumner 
— The  Investigating  Committee  —  Westport  and  Kansas  City  —  W.  Donelson 

—  Missouri  "Women  —  A  furious    Man  —  Leavenworth  —  Conversation    of 
Western  Women  —  Lawrence  —  Hopkins  killed, 290 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE   U.    S.    CAMP DISPERSION   OF   LEGISLATURE. 

Visit  the  Camp  —  Legate  and  Hoyt  arrested  —  New  Orders  of  Cramer  —  Emi 
grants  disarmed  and  sent  back  — Gay,  the  Indian  Agent,  killed  — Bu 
chanan  Ratification  Meeting  —  More  Prisoners  —  Lecompton  alarmed  — 
Camp  moved  to  protect  it  —  Log  Prison—  Cheerfulness  —  "  Law-and-order  " 
Men  —  Barricades  —  Dispersion  of  Legislature, 300 


CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

"  LAW-AND-ORDER  "   MEN FREE-STATE   MEN   AROUSED. 

Discomforts  —  More  Emigrants  turned  back  —  The  President  dumb  —  Moved 
Camp  again  —  Gen.  Smith  —  Gov.  and  Mrs.  Shannon  —  Col.  Titus  —  W.  P. 
Fain  —  Heavy  Showers  —  Efforts  to  diminish  the  Comfort  of  the  Prisoners 

—  Perkins    assaulted  —  Mr.   Wilson  —  Concert  —  Preaching  —  "  Law-and- 
order"  Men  in  Conclave  —  Gov.   Shannon  removed  —  Southerners  build 
Forts  —  Destruction   of  Fort   on  Douglas  Creek  —  Free-State   Emigrants 
arrived  —  Battle  at  Franklin  —  Murder  of  Hoyt  —  Destruction  of  Fort  on 
Washington  Creek,   and   of  Titus'  Stronghold  —  Panic   at  Lecompton  — 
Treaty, 316 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

NEW   INVASION RELEASE    OF   STATE   PRISONERS. 

Murder  of  Boss  —  Outrage  upon  Free-State  Lady — Woodson  calls  out  Militia 

—  New  Intention  to  destroy  Lawrence  —  Committee  from  Lawrence  calls  upon 
the  Governor  —  More  Troops  from  the  Fort  —  Wagons  taken  near  Leaven- 
worth  —  Mr.  Nute  and  others  taken  Prisoners  —  Messrs.  H.  and  S.  retained 
at  Lecompton  —  Eighty  Troops  go  to  Lawrence  —  Osawattomie  destroyed  — 
Missourians  driven  out  —  Houses  burned  —  TJ.  S.  Marshal  visits  Lawrence 

—  Men    murdered  —  Free-State   Army  goes    to   Lecompton  —  Mob-law  at 
Leavenworth  —  Release  of  Prisoners  at  Leavenworth  —  Gov.  Geary  arrived 

—  Release  of  State  Prisoners  —  Jubilee  at  Lawrence, 328 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 

AN   APPEAL   TO   THE   AMERICAN   PEOPLE. 


APPENDIX 349 


KANSAS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

FAR  away  amid  childhood's  sunny  vales,  -pleasant  memories 
bring  back  to  me  a  quiet  New  England  village  not  far  from  the 
noble  Connecticut's  sparkling  waters.  Situated  upon  an  eleva 
tion,  commanding  an  extensive  view  of  the  surrounding  country 
in  all  directions,  the  Mt.  Holyoke  range  upon  the  north-west,  and 
Wilbraham  mountains  on  the  south,  and  being  finely  diversified 
with  hill  and  dale,  as  an  inland  town  its  beauty  of  location  can 
scarcely  be  equalled.  The  taste  of  its  inhabitants  was  visible  in 
the  broad,  finely  shaded  streets,  and  the  long,  wide  common,  where 
the  whispering  breezes  toyed  and  laughed  among  the  trees.  Upon 
the  eastern  side  of  this  beautiful  green  were  the  churches  and 
town-hall,  the  lower  rooms  of  which,  for  many  years,  had  been 
used  for  school  rooms  ;  and  here,  especially,  memories  of  bygone 
days  cluster,  —  memories  of  teachers  and  school  friends  long  since 
passed  away,  others  still  living,  few  of  whom  I  shall  ever  meet 
again.  But  most  vividly  of  all  comes  before  me  the  bright- 
colored  map,  in  green,  red  and  yellow,  upon  which  I  daily  learned 
my  lessons,  as  to  our  whereabouts,  and  that  of  mankind  generally, 
upon  the  face  of  the  old  earth.  Very  many  were  my  speculations 
as  to  the  appearance  of  one  part  of  the  country,  laid  down  upon 
the  map  as  the  Great  American  Desert.  There  was  mystery  to 
me  in  its  semi-circular  lines  in  fine  letters,  "  Great  American 
Desert,  inhabited  only  by  savages  and  wild  beasts,"  and  much 
1 


2  KANSAS. 

childish  curiosity  was  excited  thereby.  Years  came  and  went ; 
and  with  them  came  the  increase  of  wealth  and  power  to  the 
American  people,  and  the  progress  of  the  age.  As  California 
became  a  portion  of  her  dominions,  gold  was  found  in  the  bed  of 
her  rivers,  and  in  the  bosom  of  her  soil.  Thousands  flocked  thither 
from  the  whole  country.  The  young  and  ardent  from  the  Atlantic 
States,  unused  to  toil  and  hardships,  but  eager  in  their  search  for 
gold,  left  all  the  comforts  of  home,  and  entered  the  lists.  Men 
from  the  West,  not  quite  so  daintily  raised,  pressed  onwards  in  the 
race,  and  together  they  sought  this  far-famed  Eldorado.  Some 
realized  their  anticipations,  but  many  a  loved  and  cherished  one 
"  fell  and  perished,  weary  with  the  march  of  life."  Thousands 
reached  the  goal  of  their  hopes,  by  a  long  passage  around  the 
Horn,  some  by  a  slow,  vexatious  crossing  of  the  Isthmus  ;  but 
thousands  more  took  that  route  which  promised  most  of  health  to 
the  traveller,  —  the  one  opened  from  Missouri  overland  to  the 
Pacific  shore,  by  the  courageous,  the  enterprising,  the  adventurous 
Colonel  Fremont.  This,  the  finding  of  which  through  the  moun 
tains  by  unequalled  energy,  and  endurance,  and  trials,  and  suffer 
ings,  which  would  have  unnerved  ordinary  men,  became  now  the 
general  thoroughfare  to  Oregon  and  California.  This  newly 
opened  highway  led  directly  through  the  Indian  Territory,  known 
to  my  childhood  as  the  "  Great  American  Desert ;  "  and  many  a 
one,  looking  upon  its  unrivalled  and  ever  varying  scenes  of  beauty, 
as  his  route  for  days  lay  over  its  beautiful  rolling  prairies,  decked 
with  the  loveliest  flowers  in  every  shade  of  coloring,  or  camped 
under  the  noble  trees  by  the  bank  of  some  swiftly  flowing  stream, 
felt  strong  desires  for  a  home,  where  he  could  sit  under  his  own 
vine  and  fig-tree,  in  a  land  like  this.  Many  then  resolved  to  find 
therein  such  home,  when  it  should  be  thrown  open  to  settlement. 
The  face  of  this  country  is  beautiful  beyond  all  comparison.  The 
prairies,  though  broad  and  expansive,  stretching  away  miles  in 
many  places,  seem  never  lonely  or  wearisome,  being  gently  undu 
lating,  or  more  abruptly  rolling ;  and,  at  the  ascent  of  each  new 
roll  of  land,  the  traveller  finds  himself  in  the  midst  of  new  loveli 
ness.  There  are  also  high  bluffs,  usually  at  some  little  distance 
from  the  rivers,  running  through  the  entire  length  of  the  country, 


INTRODUCTION.  3 

while  ravines  run  from  them  to  the  rivers.  These  are,  at  some 
points,  quite  deep  and  difficult  to  cross,  and,  to  a  traveller  unac 
quainted  with  the  country,  somewhat  vexatious,  especially  where 
the  prairie  grass  is  as  high  as  a  person's  head  while  seated  in  a 
carriage.  There  is  little  trouble,  however,  if  travellers  keep  back 
from  the  water-courses,  and  near  the  high  lands.  These  ravines 
are  in  many  instances  pictures  of  beauty,  with  tall,  graceful  trees, 
cotton-wood,  black  walnut,  hickory,  oak,  elm  and  linwood,  stand 
ing  near,  while  springs  of  pure  cold  water  gush  from  the  rock. 
The  bluffs  are  a  formation  unknown  in  form  and  appearance,  in 
any  other  portion  of  the  West.  At  a  little  distance,  a  person 
could  scarcely  realize  that  art  had  not  added  her  finishing  touches 
to  a  work,  which  nature  had  made  singularly  beautiful.  Many  of 
the  bluffs  appear  like  the  cultivated  grounds  about  fine  old  resi 
dences  within  the  Eastern  States,  terrace  rising  above  terrace,  with 
great  regularity ;  while  others  look  like  forts  in  the  distance.  In 
the  eastern  part  of  the  territory,  most  of  the  timber  is  upon  the 
rivers  and  creeks,  though  there  are  in  some  places  most  delightful 
spots  ;  high  hills  crowned  with  a  heavy  growth  of  trees,  and  deep 
vales  where  rippling  waters  gush  amid  a  dense  shade  of  flower 
ing  shrubbery ;  all  reminding  me  of  dear  New  England  homes, 
where  art  and  taste  had  labored  long.  Higher  than  the  bluffs  are 
natural  mounds,  which  also  have  about  them  the  look  of  art. 
They  rise  to  such  a  height  as  to  be  seen  at  a  great  distance,  and 
add  peculiar  beauty  to  the  whole  appearance  of  the  country. 
From  the  summit  of  these  the  prospect  is  almost  unlimited  in 
extent,  and  unrivalled  in  beauty.  The  prairie  for  miles,  with  its 
gently  undulating  rolls,  lies  before  the  eye.  Rivers,  glistening  in 
the  sunlight,  flow  on  between  banks  crowned  with  tall  trees ;  — 
beyond  these,  other  high  points  arise.  Trees  are  scattered  here 
and  there  like  old  orchards,  and  cattle  in  large  numbers  are  graz 
ing  upon  the  hillside,  and  in  the  valleys,  giving  to  all  the  look  of 
cultivation  and  home  life.  It  is,  indeed,  difficult  to  realize  that 
for  thousands  of  years  this  country  has  been  a  waste,  uncultivated 
and  solitary,  and  that  months  only  have  elapsed  since  the  white 
settler  has  sought  here  a  home. 


4  KANSAS. 

SOIL. 

The  soil  for  richness  can  be  surpassed  in  no  country.  It  is  of 
a  black  color,  with  a  sub-soil  of  clay  and  limestone  basis.  Vege 
tation  is  most  luxuriant.  The  soil  and  climate  are  most  admira 
bly  adapted  to  the  raising  of  grains  of  every  known  variety.  The 
growth  of  melons,  cantelopes,  tomatoes,  squashes,  —  in  fact,  vegeta 
bles  of  all  kinds,  —  is  wonderful.  Western  Missouri  bears  most 
excellent  fruit  of  all  kinds,  apples  of  the  best  varieties,  peaches, 
plums,  grapes,  etc.  The  soil  and  climate  in  Kansas  being  similar, 
a  very  few  years  will  see  the  perfection  of  the  same  fruits  through 
out  the  country. 

Wild  fruits  are  abundant.  Pawpaws,  a  fruit  resembling  some 
what  a  banana,  are  very  sweet  and  luscious,  in  the  estimation  of 
some,  while  others  think  them  quite  unpalatable.  The  mandrake,  or 
custard-apple,  is  a  pleasant  fruit,  ripe  in  August,  of  the  size 
and  appearance  of  an  egg-plum,  medicinal  also  in  its  nature.  The 
wild  plum,  cherry  and  mulberry,  grow  in  many  places.  The  plum 
is  very  good  of  itself,  and,  as  a  tree  to  graft  upon,  valuable. 
Gooseberries,  blackberries,  strawberries  and  raspberries,  grow 
spontaneously.  With  a  very  little  pains,  the  settlers  in  Kansas 
can  soon  surround  themselves  with  all  the  fruits  which  require 
several  years  in  New  England  to  cultivate  to  any  degree  of  per 
fection.  Meat  here,  especially  beef,  is  much  nicer  than  beef 
fattened  elsewhere.  It  is  owing,  probably,  to  the  rapidity  with 
which  it  fattens  in  this  country.  Beef  of  a  year  old  in  many 
instances  is  unequalled.  Venison,  prairie  chickens,  wild  turkeys, 
rabbits,  and  squirrels,  furnish  dainties  for  the  most  fastidious 
epicure. 

CLIMATE. 

The  climate  is  exceedingly  lovely.  With  a  clear,  dry  atmos 
phere,  and  gentle,  health-giving  breezes,  it  cannot  be  otherwise. 
The  peculiar  clearness  of  the  atmosphere  cannot  be  imagined  by 
a  non-resident.  For  miles  here  .a  person  can  clearly  distinguish 
objects,  which,  at  the  same  distance  in  any  other  part  of  this  coun 
try,  he  could  not  see  at  all.  The  summers  are  long,  and  winters 
short. 


INTRODUCTION.  5 

The  winters  are  usually  very  mild  and  open,  with  littlo  snow, 
—  none  falling  in  the  night,  save  what  the  morrow's  sun  will 
quickly  cause  to  disappear.  So  mild  are  they,  that  the  cattle  of 
the  Indians,  as  those  of  the  settlers  in  Western  Missouri,  feed  the 
entire  year  in  the  prairies  and  river-bottoms.  The  Indians  say 
that,  once  in  about  seven  years,  Kansas  sees  a  cold  and  severe 
winter,  with  snows  of  a  foot  in  depth.  Two  weeks  of  cold  weather 
is  called  a  severe  winter.  Then  the  spring-like  weather  comes  in 
February ;  the  earth  begins  to  grow  warm,  and  her  fertile  bosom 
ready  to  receive  the  care  of  the  husbandman. 

The  winds  of  March  and  April  are  the  most  disagreeable  out 
door  arrangements  in  Kansas.  It  were  quite  useless  for  a  person 
of  little  gravity,  or  strength,  to  attempt  much  progress  in  locomo 
tion,  when  from  out  the  halls  of  ^olus  the  winds  have  rushed 
untrammelled,  and  unrestrained.  The  breezes  of  summer,  however, 
are  most  delightful.  With  the  sun  the  wind  rises,  and  makes 
such  a  difference  in  the  actual  effect  of  the  temperature  upon  one's 
senses,  as  to  lead  to  doubts  as  to  the  correctness  of  thermometers 
in  this  country.  The  mornings  arid  evenings  are  always  cool  and 
pleasant,  and  one  experiences  nothing  here  of  those  summer  nights, 
so  common  even  in  New  England,  where,  between  weariness  occa 
sioned  by  intense  heat,  and  mosquitoes,  no  refreshing  sleep  will 
come.  Very  seldom  are  the  nights,  in  Kansas,  that  blankets  are 
not  found  an  essential  comfort.  The  rains  are  frequent,  and  copi 
ous.  So  far  as  my  own  experience  goes,  we  have  no  more  of  a 
wet  or  dry  season  than  in  Massachusetts.  Seldom  a  week  passes 
in  the  summer  without  rain,  often  coming  in  most  gentle  showers 
in  the  night,  unaccompanied  by  thunder  and  lightning  ;  while, 
early  in  the  spring  especially,  there  is  such  display  of  electricity 
as  one  seldom  sees.  The  whole  heavens  will  be  one  perfect  sea 
of  flame,  and  thunder  deafening  in  the  continual  roar,  while  the 
waters  fall  so  abundantly,  that  they  run  in  all  directions,  after  the 
earth  has  filled  its  pores,  like  a  miniature  deluge.  There  is  a 
sublimity,  an  awe-inspiring  influence,  in  such  displays  of  grandeur 
and  power,  as  make  the  creature  feel  his  nothingness,  and  that  the 
Creator  is  indeed  all,  —  the  great  All-Father,  All-wise,  All-good, 
All-powerful.  Days,  like  September  days  in  New  England,  linger 
1* 


6  KANSAS. 

here  until  the  old  year  has  given  place  to  the  new  ;  and  the  last 
of  December  has  the  genial  breath,  the  pleasant  sun,  and  glad 
look  of  early  autumn.  But  the  changes  of  weather  come  sud 
denly.  One  may  be  dreaming  all  the  morning,  influenced  by  the 
pleasant  temperature  around  him,  of  the  fair  Italian  land ;  and, 
ere  the  sun  finds  its  setting,  may  fancy  himself  nearing  the  pole. 
Yet  in  all  these  changes  no  one  takes  cold.  There  is  something 
so  invigorating  in  the  atmosphere,  so  bracing,  and  the  lungs  have 
such  play  and  action  in  it,  that  vigor  is  increased  where  health 
was  before  enjoyed  ;  and  in  many  a  case,  where  the  pulse  was 
faint  and  low,  and  the  invalid  looked  out  upon  life  with  little 
purpose  and  few  aims,  feeling  that  its  limits  were  nearly  reached, 
the  roses  of  health  have  again  bloomed,  and  the  life-blood  coursed 
joyously.  For  consumptives  there  can  be  no  better  country  than 
this.  In  many  instances,  most  material  has  been  the  change,  and 
permanent  the  cure. 

This  country,  covering  an  extent  of  surface  larger  than  the  thir 
teen  Atlantic  States,  was,  by  an  act  of  Congress  approved  March 
6,  1820,  forever  sealed  to  freedom.  This  prohibition  to  slavery  is 
most  definitely  expressed  in  these  words  : 

"  Sec.  8.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  in  all  that  territory  ceded 
by  France  to  the  United  States,  under  the  name  of  Louisiana, 
which  lies  north  36°  30'  of  north  latitude,  not  included  within 
the  limits  of  the  state  contemplated  by  this  act,  slavery  and 
involuntary  servitude,  otherwise  than  as  the  punishment  of  crimes, 
shall  be,  and  is  hereby,  forever  prohibited." 

This  country,  than  which  the  sun  shines  upon  no  fairer,  with 
its  mountains,  prairies  and  valleys,  lying  midway  between  the 
north  and  south,  east  and  west,  in  the  very  heart  of  the  United 
States,  was  never  to  be  cursed  with  the  blackest  of  all  villanies, 
the  bitterest  of  all  evils  —  human  slavery.  The  clanking  of 
chains  was  never  to  create  a  discord  in  that  harmony,  where  the 
wild  bird  sent  forth  its  gushing  lay  for  freedom,  where  the  whis 
pering  breezes  through  the  leafy  wood  caught  up  the  music,  echo 
ing  it  amid  the  quivering  leaves,  and  where  all  nature  sang  a 
continual  song  for  freedom.  But  what  has  been  the  sequel? 
How  has  this  act,  entered  into  as  a  solemn  compact  before  God 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

and  man,  been  regarded?  The  slave  oligarchists  looked  with 
covetous  eyes  upon  this  fair  region.  They  had  gained,  heretofore, 
whatever  they  had  desired  by  craft,  bribery,  or  threats ;  and  the 
North,  imbecile  in  many  of  its  legislators,  had  acquiesced.  They 
had  gained  new  territory,  for  slavery  extension,  by  the  compromise 
of  1850,  when  New  England's  greatest  senator  sounded  his  own 
death-knell,  and,  in  the  passage  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Bill,  had 
rendered  the  entire  country  slave-hunting  ground.  Had  they  not 
good  reason,  then,  to  hope  by  legislation  to  get  Kansas  too  ? 

On  the  14th  of  December,  1853,  Mr.  Dodge,  of  Iowa,  asked 
leave  to  introduce  a  bill  to  organize  the  Territory  of  Nebraska, 
which  was  finally  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Territories.  This 
was  a  simple  territorial  bill,  in  no  way  undertaking  to  touch  the 
compromise  of  1820,  the  prohibition  of  slavery  in  the  territory. 
This  bill  was  opposed  by  Atchison,  Vice-Pi  esident  of  the  United 
States,  as  well  as  by  other  southern  men.  On  the  4th  of  Janu 
ary,  1854,  Mr.  Douglas,  of  Illinois,  as  chairman  of  the  Com 
mittee  on  Territories,  reported  this  bill  back  to  the  Senate,  with 
various  amendments,  accompanied  by  a  special  report. 

The  whole  country  was  moved  at  the  prospect  of  such  an  out 
rage  as  this  bill  proposed  —  the  annulling  of  a  sacred  compact, 
the  breaking  of  a  plighted  faith.  How,  through  all  that  long 
season  of  discussion  upon  the  bill,  more  than  three  months,  every 
freedom-loving  heart  was  moved  to  hope  this  great  wrong  might 
not  be  committed  !  How  every  honest  feeling  was  stirred  at  the 
eloquent  words  of  Chase,  Giddings,  Sumner,  Seward,  Hale,  and 
all  our  noble  men  in  Congress,  who  battled  mightily  against  this 
evil !  We  can  never  forget  what  indignation  fired  the  veins  of 
all  lovers  of  God  and  men,  as  the  wires  brought  news  of  the 
indignity  offered  to  New  England's  three  thousand  protesting 
clergymen,  and  what  shame  mantled  the  cheek  of  many  to  remem 
ber  that  the  Benedict  Arnold  of  the  age  should  have  been  born 
of  any  woman  in  a  beautiful,  thriving  town  nestled  amid  the  Green 
Mountains.  Well  will  the  North  remember  how  the  womanly 
element  mingled  its  influence  to  stay  this  current  of  evil ;  how  the 
protests,  with  many  thousands  of  names,  poured  in  through  all 
the  avenues  of  communication  to  the  capital.  Woman's  heart 


8  KANSAS. 

was  touched ;  all  the  deep  sympathies  of  her  nature  were  stirred ; 
and,  while  hourly  she  prayed  that  no  new  field  of  suffering  and 
woe  should  be  opened  for  her  down-trodden  and  oppressed  sister, 
she  acted  too,  and,  through  the  melting  snows  of  early  spring, 
each  woman  in  many  towns  was  called  upon  for  her  signature,  by 
one  of  her  own  sex.  Could  she  see  this  great  country  —  only  a 
little  less  in  extent  than  Italy,  France,  and  Spain,  together  — 
thrown  open  to  the  foul  inroads  of  slavery,  so  that  no  woman  with 
black  blood  in  her  veins  could  be  a  welcome  inmate  of  her  father's 
house,  feel  safe  in  the  protection  of  a  husband's  love,  or,  in  caress 
ing  the  children  God  gave  her,  call  them  her  own,  and  make  no 
effort  in  their  behalf  ?  No.  It  was  not  thus,  thank  God  !  Men 
felt,  and  women  felt.  Notwithstanding  all  that  was  done,  and  all 
that  was  felt,  the  bill,  odious  in  the  sight  of  God  and  hateful  to 
man,  was  passed.  Mr.  Sumner  made  his  final  protest,  for  himself 
and  the  New  England  clergy,  against  slavery  in  Kansas  and 
Nebraska,  upon  the  night  of  the  final  passage  of  the  Nebraska 
and  Kansas  Bill,  May  25,  1854.  After  a  most  stormy  and  con 
tentious  debate,  on  Sunday  morning  the  bill  was  passed.  The 
slave  power  was  again  triumphant.  A  consolidated  despotism 
was  striving  to  crush  out  every  aspiration  for  truth,  for  goodness, 
for  freedom,  from  every  free-born  soul.  Southern  men  argued 
that  by  this  new  compromise  the  agitation  in  our  country  would 
cease,  and  peace  be  restored.  How  has  it  been  ?  Civil  feud, 
strife,  and  continual  agitation,  have  been  the  result  in  all  commu 
nities.  The  "  crime  against  Kansas  "  consummated  in  Congress, 
the  infraction  of  solemn  obligations,  has  been  acted  over  in  frauds 
upon  the  ballot-box  in  Kansas,  and  has  been  the  occasion  of  rob 
beries,  murders,  civil  war,  in  her  fair  borders. 

When,  at  that  dark  midnight  hour,  the  bill  was  passed,  the 
final  blow  was  struck,  seemingly  the  knell  for  the  burial  of  Lib 
erty  was  sounded.  But  there  was  light  also  in  the  hour,  in  the 
deed.  There  could  no  more  be  sown  in  common  ground  the  seeds 
of  harmony  and  good-will.  The  hosts  of  freedom  must  marshal 
their  forces,  and  draw  their  lines  against  the  lines  of  slavery, 
and  each  man  fight  courageously  on  the  accepted  issue.  It  was 
the  death  of  all  compromises  too. 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

From  this  period,  the  passage  of  the  bill,  and  the  throwing 
open  of  the  territory  to  settlement  upon  the  principles  of  "  squat 
ter  sovereignty,"  let  us  note  carefully  the  whole  course  of  those 
men,  who  so  strenuously  urged  its  passage,  and  see  to  what  extreme 
measures,  bringing  untold  sufferings  upon  the  innocent  people  of 
Kansas,  they  have  resorted,  to  bring  about  their  first  design  — 
that  of  making  Kansas  a  slave  state.  As  early  as  the  spring  of 
1854,  Stringfellow,  and  other  men  of  like  calibre  in  Western  Mis 
souri,  founded  secret  societies,  called  Blue  Lodges,  Friends' 
Societies,  etc.  Their  members  were  sworn,  upon  peril  of  their 
lives,  to  make  Kansas  a  slave  state.  There  were  published 
accounts  of  meetings  held  in  several  towns  in  Western  Missouri, 
with  most  fiery  resolutions,  denouncing  northern  men,  offering 
large  rewards  for  the  heads  of  some,  and  explicitly  avowing  their 
purpose  of  settling  the  territory  with  pro-slavery  men,  and  keeping 
all  others  out.  In  May,  at  a  meeting  held  in  Westport,  one  of 
the  principal  speakers  continually  interlarded  his  harangue  from 
the  court-house  steps  with  "  Ball  to  the  muzzle,  knife  to  the  hilt !  " 
"  Damn  the  abolitionists !  "  "  We  '11  put  them  all  in  the  Missouri 
river."  Two  gentlemen  from  Massachusetts,  who  travelled  in 
Western  Missouri  in  June  and  July,  1854,  saw  Mr.  Stringfellow 
on  their  way  up  the  river.  He  was  continually  reiterating,  with 
horrid  oaths,  that  "  Kansas  would  and  should  be  a  slave  state," 
and  "  no  abolitionist  should  be  allowed  to  live  in  the  territory;  " 
that  "if  he  had  the  power,  he  would  hang  every  abolitionist  in 
the  country,  and  every  man  north  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line  was 
an  abolitionist ;  "  that  "  every  means  should  be  used  to  drive  free- 
state  men  from  the  territory." 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    FIRST    ELECTION  —  FIRST   INVASION. 

WHILE  these  things  were  being  done  in  Missouri,  the  press  of 
the  North  was  publishing  accounts  of  the  new  country  opened  to 
settlement,  and  directing  the  attention  of  emigrants,  seeking  a 
western  home,  to  this  Eden  of  America.  It  was  evident  that  a 
large  emigration  would  naturally  flow  into  Kansas  from  the  North 
and  East ;  and,  to  enable  the  emigrant  to  reach  his  destination 
easily  and  cheaply,  an  association  was  formed,  which  completed  its 
organization  in  July.  The  purpose  of  this  association,  as  declared 
by  themselves,  was  to  "  assist  emigrants  to  settle  in  the  West." 
Their  objects  were  to  induce  emigrants  to  move  westward  in  such 
large  bodies,  that  arrangements  might  be  made  with  boat  lines  and 
railroads  for  tickets  at  reduced  rates  ;  to  erect  saw-mills  and  board 
ing-houses,  and  establish  schools  in  different  localities,  that  the 
people  might  gather  around  them,  and  not  be  obliged  to  wait 
years  for  the  blessings  and  privileges  of  social  life,  as  most  early 
settlers  in  the  West  have  done.  Transplanted  into  the  wilder 
ness,  they  hoped  to  bring  to  them  the  civilization  and  the  comforts 
of  their  old  homes. 

Mr.  Eli  Thayer,  of  Worcester,  Mass.,  was  one  of  the  first 
movers  in  the  scheme.  To  some  suggestions  of  his  the  associa 
tion  owed  its  birth.  He,  with  A.  A.  Lawrence  of  Boston,  Mass., 
and  J.  M.  F.  Williams,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  acte  1  as  trustees 
of  the  Stock  Company  formed  July  24,  1854.  They  are  all 
gentlemen  of  sterling  integrity  and  noble  purpose,  and  with  un 
tiring  energy  have  devoted  their  labors  and  money  to  the  cause 
of  freedom.  Dr.  T.  H.  Webb  has  from  the  first  acted  as  secre 
tary  of  this  association,  and  by  day  and  night  has  given  himself 


THE   FIRST   EJECTION —  FIRST   INVASION.  11 

to  the  work  of  ak1.  for  Kansas.  His  courage  has  never  faltered, 
or  his  efforts  been  diminished,  in  the  hour  of  prosperity,  or 
when  dark  hordes  of  invaders  hovered  in  our  borders ;  and,  with 
unabated  zeal,  he  still  looks  forward  to  the  day  of  our  deliverance 
from  the  bonds  of  the  oppressor. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  an  act  was  passed  to  incorporate  the 
New  England  Emigrant  Aid  Company.  The  purposes  of  the  act 
were  distinctly  stated  to  be  "  directing  emigration  westward,  and 
aiding  and  providing  accommodation  for  the  emigrants  after 
arriving  at  their  place  of  destination." 

The  first  of  August,  1854,  a  party  of  about  thirty  settlers, 
chiefly  from  New  England,  arrived  in  the  territory,  arid  settled  at 
Lawrence.  Mr.  C.  H.  Branscomb,  of  Boston,  on  a  tour  in  the 
territory  a  few  weeks  earlier  in  the  summer,  had  selected  this 
spot  as  one  of  peculiar  loveliness  for  a  town  site.  A  part  of  them 
pitched  their  tents  upon  the  high  hill  south-west  of  the  town  site, 
and  named  it  Mount  Oread,  after  the  Mount  Oread  School  in 
Worcester,  of  which  Mr.  Thayer  was  founder  and  proprietor. 

When  the  party  arrived,  one  man  only  occupied  the  town  site 
with  his  family.  His  improvements  were  purchased,  and  he  aban 
doned  his  claim  for  the  town.  This  party  was  met  with  insult 
and  abuse  on  the  Missouri  river,  and  on  their  way  into  the  terri 
tory.  After  they  arrived  in  Lawrence,  bands  of  these  Missou- 
rians  gathered  along  the  river  bottoms,  and  wherever  they  put  a 
stake  they  made  a  pretended  claim.  They  invaded  the  meetings 
of  the  actual  settlers  in  the  neighborhood,  and  attempted  to  con 
trol  them.  Attempts  were  also  made  to  frighten  and  drive  them 
from  the  territory  by  fomenting  disputes  about  claims,  and  other 
quarrels.  Sept.  28,  1854,  a  squatter  meeting  was  held  at 
Ilomsby  &  Ferril's  store,  on  the  California  road,  about  two  miles 
from  Lawrence,  at  which  the  free-state  men  had  a  majority. 

The  squatters  at  length  decided  by  vote  that  no  person,  resident 
of  another  state,  should  be  allowed  to  vote  at  these  meetings,  etc., 
and  for  a  while  they  made  their  own  regulations. 

About  the  first  of  September,  the  second  New  England  party 
arrived  and  settled  at  Lawrence.  As  soon  as  it  was  known  that  a 


12  KANSAS. 

New  England  settlement  was  to  be  made  at  Lawrence,  every  means 
was  resorted  to,  to  break  it  up. 

About  the  first  of  October,  a  man  from  the  Western  States,  who 
said  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  a  better  man  than  Jesus  Christ, 
made  his  appearance  with  his  friends,  and  used  every  effort  to  break 
up  the  New  England  settlement.  The  people  however  proceeded 
with  their  improvements,  erecting  a  saw-mill,  boarding-houses, 
and  stores. 

On  the  sixth  of  October,  a  demand  was  made  that  a  certain  tent, 
standing  within  five  rods  of  the  house  occupied  by  the  original 
claimant,  should  be  removed  from  its  present  location,  and  no  more 
improvements  should  be  made  in  that  part  of  the  town.  Several 
pro-slavery  men,  mostly  from  Missouri,  assembled  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  tent,  and  kindly  notified  Dr.  Robinson  "  that  if  he  did  not 
remove  the  tent  in  thirty  minutes,  they  should."  The  following 
laconic  reply  was  returned  to  them  :  "  If  you  molest  our  property 
you  do  it  at  your  peril."  The  citizens  of  the  settlement  came 
together  to  witness  the  removal,  and  with  praiseworthy  patience 
waited  for  the  half  hour  to  expire.  The  time  at  length  passed  by, 
and  no  movement  was  made  toward  removing  the  tent.  Another  half 
hour  was  waning  fast,  and  the  thirty  New  Englanders  were  quietly 
waiting  for  the  tent's  removal.  At  last  one  of  the  citizens  asked 
another  if  it  "  would  be  best  to  hit  the  first  man  who  attempted  to 
remove  it,  or  fire  over  his  head?"  The  decisive  reply  was,  "  I 
would  be  ashamed,  for  the  rest  of  my  life,  to  fire  at  a  man  and  not 
hit  him." 

There  was  a  spy  among  them,  and,  as  soon  as  he  heard  this  con 
versation,  so  brief,  yet  pointed,  he  went  over  to  the  enemy's  camp 
The  intelligence  he  imparted,  of  whatever  nature  it  might  be,  had 
the  effect  to  scatter  the  Missourians  at  once.  They  left  with  oaths, 
and  threats  that  "  in  one  week  they  would  return  with  twenty  thou 
sand  men  from  Missouri,  and  then  the  tent  should  be  removed." 

The  week  came  and  went,  and  about  the  same  number  of  Mis 
sourians  as  before  appeared,  but  not  to  remove  the  tent.  For  some 
reason,  the  people  of  Missouri,  although  urgently  called  upon,  did 
not  respond,  and  the  belligerent  parties  concluded  to  postpone  any 
warlike  action. 


THE    FIRST    ELECTION FIRST   INVASION.  13 

The  people  of  Missouri  call  all  eastern  and  northern  men  cow 
ards,  and  are  evidently  disappointed  at  the  calm  determination  of 
the  people  of  Lawrence  to  protect  themselves  from  mob  violence. 
They  do  not  understand  how  a  people  can  be  brave,  yet  quiet. 
With  them,  loud  swelling  words  are  received  as  evidence  of  valor; 
and  they  could  not  therefore  comprehend  the  quiet,  yet  firm  prepa 
rations  for  deadly  conflict  made  by  the  few  settlers  in  Lawrence. 

The  buildings  erected  in  Lawrence  were  of  most  primitive  style, 
of  pole  and  thatch.  Most  of  the  people  for  some  weeks  boarded 
in  common,  and.  in  such  a  dwelling,  sleeping  upon  the  ground  on 
buffalo  robes  and  blankets. 

Oct.  1st.  —  Rev.  S.  Y.  Lune  preached  the  first  sermon  in 
Lawrence,  in  the  "  Pioneer  House."  A  few  rough  boards  were 
brought  for  seats,  and,  with  singing  by  several  good  voices  among 
the  pioneers,  the  usual  church  services  were  performed.  The  first 
Bible  Class  in  Lawrence  was  formed  that  day.  The  people  then, 
as  many  succeeding  Sabbaths,  were  gathered  together  by  the  ringing 
of  a  large  dinner-bell. 

Qtk.  —  At  a  meeting  of  the  association,  it  was  decided  that 
the  town  be  named  Lawrence,  after  Amos  A.  Lawrence,  of  Boston, 
who  was  doing  much  for  the  settlement.  It  had  been  called  pre 
viously  Wakarusa  and  New  Boston,  while  the  Missourians  gave  it 
the  name  of  Yankee  town. 

9th.  —  Gov.  Reeder  and  other  officers  appointed  by  the  Presi 
dent  arrived  in  the  territory.  On  the  nineteenth  of  the  month 
they  came  to  Lawrence,  and  were  received  with  a  general  greeting 
by  the  people.  A  dinner  was  provided  for  them,  and  with  speeches 
and  sentiments  some  pleasant  hours  were  passed. 

The  first  child  born  in  Lawrence  was  named  Lawrence  Carter, 
the  city  association  presenting  him  with  a  lot.  He  was  born  Octo 
ber  26. 

The  first  election  of  the  territory  was  for  delegate  to  Congress, 
and  was  held  on  the  twenty -ninth  November,  1854.  The  conspiracy 
against  the  rights  of  the  settlers  was  gaining  ground  in  Missouri, 
and,  before  the  day  of  election,  armed  hordes  poured  over  her  bor 
ders.  In  the  second  district,  one  of  the  citizens,  who  was  a  candi 
date  for  delegate  to  Congress,  was  told,  by  one  of  the  Missourians, 


14  KANSAS. 

he  would  be  abused  and  probably  killed  if  he  challenged  a  vote. 
He  was  at  length  compelled  to  seek  the  protection  of  the  judges. 
After  the  election  these  men  mounted  into  their  wagons,  crying 
out,  "  All  aboard  for  Westnort  and  Kansas  City  !  " 

Similar  frauds  were  practised  in  the  other  districts.  In  the 
eighth  district,  five  hundred  and  eighty-four  illegal  votes  were  cast, 
and  only  twenty  legal.  It  was  a  remote  district,  with  a  sparse 
population.  At  Leavenworth,  then  a  little  village,  several  hundred 
men  came  over  from  Platte,  Clay  and  Ray  counties,  camped  around 
the  town,  and  controlled  the  polls.  Many  of  them  were  men  of 
influence  in  Missouri.  Gen.  Whitfield  was,  by  these  illegal  votes, 
elected  delegate  to  Congress. 

In  January  and  February,  1855,  Gov.  Reeder  caused  the  census 
to  be  taken.  The  whole  number  of  inhabitants  was  found  to  be 
ei^ht  thousand  five  hundred  and  one. 

O 

The  same  day  that  the  census  returns  were  brought  in  complete, 
Gov.  Reeder  issued  his  proclamation  for  an  election  to  be  held 
March  30th,  1855,  for  the  Legislative  Assembly. 

The  winter  in  Kansas  was  very  mild  and  pleasant.  There  was 
not  a  day  that  the  people  could  not  follow  their  out-door  employ 
ments,  and  but  little  snow  fell.  With  occasional  lectures  before 
the  Athenaeum  just  formed,  and  a  general  prevalence  of  kindly 
feeling,  the  pioneers  passed  a  pleasant  winter  amid  the  uncouth 
arrangements  of  the  new  home. 

Before  the  time  of  the  election  in  March,  the  border  papers  were 
again  rife  with  their  threats  of  outrage.  The  following,  from  the 
Leavenworth  Herald,  will  suffice  to  show  the  character  of  the  lead 
ers  of  the  pro-slavery  party,  and  their  intentions  regarding  the 
manner  in  which  Kansas  was  to  be  made  a  slave  state.  The  plan 
of  operation  was  laid  down  in  an  address  to  a  crowd  at  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri,  by  Stringfellow.  "  I  tell  you  to  mark  every  scoundrel 
among  you  that  is  the  least  tainted  with  free-soilism,  or  abolition- 
isif),  and  exterminate  him.  Neither  give  nor  take  quarter  from  the 
d — d  rascals.  I  propose  to  mark  them  in  this  house,  and  on  the 
present  occasion,  so  you  may  crush  them  out.  To  those  having 
qualms  of  conscience,  as  to  violating  laws,  state  or  national,  the 
time  has  come  when  such  impositions  must  be  disregarded,  as  your 


THE    1--IR-T    ELECTION FIRST   INVASION.  16 

lives  and  property  are  in  danger,  and  I  advise  you  one  and  all  to 
enter  every  election  district  in  Kansas,  in  defiance  of  Reeder  and 
his  vile  myrmidons,  and  vote  at  the  point  of  the  bowie-knife  and 
revolver.  Neither  give  nor  take  quarter,  as  our  cause  demands  it. 
It  is  enough  that  the  slave-holding  interest  wills  it,  from  which 
there  is  no  appeal.  What  right  has  Gov.  Reeder  to  rule  Missou- 
rians  in  Kansas?  His  proclamation  and  prescribed  oath  must  be 
disregarded  ;  it  is  your  interest  to  do  so.  Mind  that  slavery  is  es 
tablished  where  it  is  not  prohibited." 

Laws,  state  and  national,  are  to  be  disregarded;  every  one 
tainted  with  any  sentiment  of  freedom  to  be  murdered  ;  every  elec 
tion  district  to  be  invaded,  and  votes  cast  in  a  neighboring  terri 
tory  at  the  point  of  bowie-knife  and  revolver.  This  same  String- 
fellow  is  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  "  law  and  order  "  party. 

A  few  days  before  the  thirtieth  of  March  crowds  of  men  might 
be  seen  wending  their  way  to  some  general  rendezvous  in  the  various 
counties  of  Ray,  Howard,  Carroll,  Boone,  Lafayette,  Saline, 
Randolph  and  Cass,  in  Missouri.  They  were  rough,  brutal  looking 
men,  of  most  nondescript  appearance.  They  had,  however,  one  mark 
upon  them,  a  white  or  blue  ribbon,  to  distinguish  them  from  the 
settlers.  This  was  wholly  unnecessary,  no  one  ever  mistaking  one 
of  these  men  for  an  intelligent,  educated  settler  in  the  territory. 
Those  Missourians  who  did  not  feel  the  interest  to  come  over  to 
vote,  paid  their  money,  or  contributed  provisions  and  wagons  for 
the  new  raid.  The  expenses  of  the  vandal  horde  were  p  .id,  and 
they  were  en  route  again  to  overrun  the  fair  country,  with  drunk 
enness,  and  fraud,  and  murder,  if  the  cause  demanded  it.  Their 
watchword  was,  "  Neither  give  nor  take  quarter.'' 

The  people  of  Missouri  had  been  excited  by  the  inflammatory 
rumors,  put  in  circulation  among  them  by  their  leaders,  regarding 
the  design  and  character  of  eastern  emigration.  Aided  by  the 
oaths  of  their  secret  societies,  they  had  acted  upon  their  base  pas 
sions  and  prejudices  to  such  a  degree  that  they  were  fully  equal 
to  any  deeds  of  violence. 

Provisions  were  sent  ahead  of  the  parties,  and  those  intended 
for  the  invaders  at  Lawrence  were  stored  in  the  house  of  W.  Ly- 
kins.  The  polls  were  also  opened  at  the  same  place.  Some  of 


16  KANSAS. 

the  party  came  in  on  the  evening  previous  to  the  election,  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  thirtieth  of  March  about  one  thousand  men, 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Samuel  Young,  of  Boone  county,  and 
Claiborne  F.  Jackson,  came  into  Lawrence.  They  came  in  about 
one  hundred  and  ten  wagons,  and  upon  horseback,  with  music,  and 
banners  flying.  They  were  armed  with  guns,  pistols,  rifles  and 
bowie-knives.  They  brought  two  cannon  loaded  with  musket 
balls. 

The  evening  preceding  the  election,  these  men  were  gathered  at 
the  tent  of  one  of  their  leaders,  Capt.  Jackson,  and  in  speeches 
made  to  them  by  Col.  Young,  and  others,  it  was  declared,  "  that 
more  voters  were  here  than  would  be  needed  to  carry  the  elec 
tion,"  and  that  there  was  a  scarcity  at  Tecumseh,  Bloomington, 
Hickory  Point,  and  other  places,  eight,  ten,  and  twelve  miles  dis 
tant.  Volunteers  came  forward,  and  the  next  morning  left  Law 
rence  for  those  places. 

When  this  band  of  men  were  coming  to  Lawrence,  they  met  Mr. 
N.  B.  Blanton,  formerly  of  Missouri,  who  had  been  appointed 
one  of  the  judges  of  election  by  Grov.  Reeder.  Upon  his  saying 
that  he  should  feel  bound,  in  executing  the  duties  of  his  office,  to 
demand  the  oath  as  to  residence  in  the  territory,  they  attempted, 
by  bribes  first,  and  then  with  threats  of  hanging,  to  induce  him 
to  receive  their  votes  without  the  oath.  Mr.  Blanton  not  appear 
ing  on  the  election  day,  a  new  judge,  by  name  Robert  A.  Cum 
mins,  who  claimed  that  a  man  had  a  right  to  vote  if  he  had  been 
in  the  territory  but  an  hour,  was  appointed  in  his  place.  The 
Missourians  came  to  the  polls  from  the  second  ravine  west  of  the 
town,  where  they  were  encamped  in  tents,  in  parties  of  one  hundred 
at  a  time. 

Before  the  voting  commenced,  however,  they  said,  that  "  if  the 
judges  appointed  by  the  governor  did  not  allow  them  to  vote, 
they  would  appoint  judges  who  would."  They  did  so  in  the  case 
of  Mr.  Abbott,  one  of  the  judges,  who  had  become  indignant,  all 
law  being  outraged,  and  resigned.  Mr.  Benjamin  was  elected  in 
his  place.  Soon  after  the  voting  commenced,  some  question  of 
legality  was  raised  in  regard  to  the  vote  of  a  Mr.  Page.  Col. 
Young  interfered,  saying  he  would  decide  the  matter.  Mr.  Page 


THE   FIRST   ELECTION — FIRST   INVASION.  17 

withdrew  his  vote,  and  Col.  Young  offered  his,  saying  he  was  a 
resident  of  the  territory,  but  refusing  to  take  the  oath.  His  vote 
was  registered.  When  asked  by  Mr.  Abbott  "  if  he  intended  to 
make  Kansas  his  future  home,"  he  replied,  that  "  it  was  none  of 
his  business ;  "  that,  "  if  he  was  a  resident  there,  he  should  ask  no 
more."  Col.  Young  then  mounted  on  to  the  window-sill,  telling 
the  crowd  "  he  had  voted,  and  they  could  do  the  same."  He  told 
the  judges  "  it  was  no  use  swearing  them,  as  they  would  all  swear 
as  he  had  done."  The  other  judges  deciding  to  receive  such  votes, 
Mr.  Abbott  resigned. 

The  crowd  was  often  so  great  around  the  log  cabin,  that  many 
of  the  voters,  having  voted,  were  hoisted  on  to  the  roof  of  the 
building,  thus  making  room  for  others.  Afterwards,  especially 
when  the  citizens  began  to  vote,  a  passage-way  was  made  through 
the  crowd.  Between  a  double  file  of  armed  men,  while  they  were 
continually  asking  for  the  prominent  men  in  Lawrence,  their  ques 
tions  always  coupled  with  threats  of  shooting,  or  hanging,  our  cit 
izens  passed  to  the  polls.  Several  citizens  of  Lawrence  were  driven 
from  the  ground  during  the  day,  with  threats  of  fatal  violence. 
One  man  escaped  by  a  perilous  leap  off  the  high  bank  of  the  river, 
several  shots  whizzing  past  him. 

As  a  special  favor  to  the  old  men,  who  were  weary  with  travel 
ling,  and  wanted  to  get  back  to  their  tents  to  rest,  they  were 
allowed  to  vote  first.  Many  of  the  Missourians  left  for  home  as 
soon  as  they  had  voted,  while  others  remained  until  morning. 
They  entered  freely  the  houses  of  the  citizens,  without  ceremony 
or  invitation,  in  some  instances  taking  their  meals  with  them.  So 
loud  were  the  threats  of  the  Missourians  against  the  town,  that  a 
guard  was  kept  around  it  the  following  night.  There  was,  how 
ever,  no  disturbance. 

The  whole  number  of  names  on  the  poll  lists  was  one  thousand 
and  thirty-four,  of  which  eight  hundred  and  two  were  non-residents 
and  illegal  voters. 

BLOOMINGTON. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  day  of  election,  five  or  six  hun 
dred  Missourians,  armed  with  rifles,  guns,  pistols  and  bowie-knives, 

2* 


18  KANSAS. 

with  flags  flying,  went  to  Bloomington,  in  wagons,  and  upon  horse 
back.  Samuel  J.  Jones,  of  Westport,  Claiborne  F.  Jackson, 
with  his  volunteers  from  the  camp  at  Lawrence,  and  a  Mr.  Steely, 
of  Independence,  were  the  leaders  of  this  motley  gang.  The  day 
here  was  one  continual  scene  of  outrage  and  violence.  Scarcely 
were  the  polls  open,  before  Jones  marched  up  to  the  window,  at  the 
head  of  the  crowd,  and  demanded  that  they  be  allowed  to  vote 
without  being  sworn  as  to  their  residence.  Little  bands  of  fifteen 
or  twenty  men  were  formed  by  Jackson.  He  gave  to  them  the 
guns  from  the  wagons,  which  some  of  them  loaded.  Jackson  had 
previously  declared,  amid  repeated  cheers,  that  "  they  came  there 
to  vote ;  "  "  if  they  had  been  there  only  five  minutes  they  had  a 
right  to  vote ;  "  "  that  they  would  not  go  home  without  voting." 
Like  the  party  at  Lawrence  they  tied  white  ribbons  in  their  button 
holes.  Upon  the  refusal  of  the  judges  to  resign,  the  mob  broke 
in  the  windows,  glass,  and  sash,  and,  presenting  pistols  and  guns, 
threatened  to  shoot  them.  A  voice  from  the  outside  cried,  "  Do 
not  shoot  them  ;  there  are  pro-slavery  men  in  the  house  !  "  A  pry 
was  then  put  under  the  corner  of  the  log  cabin,  letting  it  rise  and 
fall ;  but  the  same  fear  of  injury  to  pro-slavery  men  proved  the 
security  of  the  others.  The  two  judges  still  remaining  firm  in 
their  refusal  to  allow  them  to  vote,  Jones  led  on  a  party  with 
bowie-knives  drawn,  and  pistols  cocked.  With  watch  in  hand,  he 
declared  to  the  judges,  "  he  would  give  them  five  minutes  in  which 
to  resign,  or  die."  The  five  minutes  passed  by.  Jones  said  he 
"  would  give  another  minute,  but  no  more."  The  pro-slavery 
judge  snatched  up  the  ballot-boxes,  and,  crying  out  "  Hurrah  for 
Missouri !  "  ran  into  the  crowd.  The  other  judges,  persuaded  by 
their  friends,  who  thought  them  in  imminent  peril  from  the  rough 
and  reckless  men,  brandishing  their  deadly  weapons  at  every  mo 
ment,  while  curses  and  oaths  were  a  part  of  every  sentence,  passed 
out,  one  of  them  putting  the  poll-books  in  his  pocket.  Jones,  see 
ing  the  movement,  snatched  from  him  some  papers,  which  were  of 
immaterial  value ;  but,  not  finding  his  mistake,  he  also  ran  out 
crying,  "  Hurrah  for  Missouri !  "  They  took  Judge  Wakefield, 
one  of  the  citizens,  a  prisoner,  and  made  him  stand  upon  a  wirgon 
and  make  them  a  speech.  After  tying  a  white  ribbon  in  his  button 
hole  they  let  him  go. 


THE    FIRST   ELECTION  —  FIRST   INVASION.  19 

A  Mr.  Mace  was  abused  by  them  in  a  most  ruffianly  manner.  He 
having  replied  in  the  affirmative  whether  he  would  take  the  oath,  he 
was  dragged  away  from  the  polls  by  the  brutal  crowd,  with  instant 
death  staring  him  in  the  face,  the  incessant  yells  of  the  mob 
being,  "  Cut  his  throat !  "  "  Tear  his  heart  out !  "  "  Kill  the  d— d 
nigger  thief!  "  After  getting  him  away  from  the  house,  they 
stood  around  him  with  bowie-knives  drawn  and  pistols  cocked ; 
one  man  putting  to  his  heart  a  drawn  knife,  another  holding  a 
cocked  pistol  by  his  ear,  and  another  yet  striking  at  him  with  a 
club. 

A  great  many  threats  were  made  "  to  kill  the  judges,  if  they 
did  not  receive  their  votes ;  "  "  no  man  should  vote  who  would 
submit  to  be  sworn ;  "  "  no  man  should  vote  who  was  not  all  right 
on  the  goose ;  "  and  "  they  would  vote  by  foul  if  not  by  fair 
means." 

Cries  of  "  Shoot  him  !  "  resounded  during  the  day,  and,  in  such 
a  Pandemonium  as  would  shame  even  Pluto's  dark  domains,  three 
hundred  and  eleven  illegal  votes  were  polled. 

Will  not  Americans  blush  that  such  indignities  have  been 
offered  her  citizens,  and  no  remedy  been  afforded  by  those  in  power  ? 

In  the  other  districts  the  polls  were  taken  possession  of  by  bands 
of  these  marauders,  and  similar  scenes  of  violence  were  enacted. 
They  not  only  came  in  numbers  sufficient  to  carry  the  election  over 
the  votes  of  the  actual  settlers,  but  by  their  outrageous  conduct 
compelled  them,  in  most  instances,  to  keep  away  from  the  polls. 
Not  satisfied  with  once  voting,  many  of  them,  by  changing  hats 
and  coats,  repeatedly  voted  in  the  same  precinct,  or,  after  voting  at 
one,  went  to  another.  At  Marysville,  a  settlement  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  territory,  twenty-five  or  thirty  men  polled  one  hundred 
and  fifty  votes. 

Many  of  the  men  elected  to  the  Legislature  were,  and  still  are, 
residents  of  Missouri.  The  judges  of  election  appointed  by  Gov. 
Reeder  were  obliged,  by  threats  of  death,  to  leave  the  polls,  and 
others  were  appointed  from  among  the  Missourians.  One  of  the 
judges  of  election,  for  refusing  to  sign  the  returns,  in  spite  of 
many  threats,  was  fired  upon  on  his  way  home,  but  fortunately 
was  uninjured.  These  bands  of  whiskey-drinking,  degraded,  foul- 


20  KANSAS. 

mouthed  marauders  came  under  the  leadership  of  Sam'l  J.  Jones, 
of  Westport,  Col.  Sam'l  Young,  and  C.  F.  Jackson,  Col.  Sam'l 
H.  Woodson,  of  Independence,  Mo.,  Gen.  D.  K.  Atchison,  of 
Platte  City,  and  Gen.  B.  F.  Stringfellow,  of  Weston. 

Col.  Woodson  was  the  leader  of  the  rabble  of  Teeumseh,  while 
B.  F.  Stringfellow  was  very  active  in  his  efforts  to  promote  the 
pro-slavery  interests  in  one  of  the  northern  precincts.  Atchison, 
the  urgent  advocate  of  squatter  sovereignty,  the  former  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States,  after  controlling  one  of  the  pri 
mary  elections  in  the  fourteenth  district,  was  the  acknowledged 
leader  of  a  gang  at  the  Nemaha.  In  opposition  to  the  wishes  of 
the  actual  residents  (pro-slavery),  he  caused  a  set  of  candidates  to 
be  nominated.  His  words  at  the  time  were,  "  There  are  ten 
hundred  men  coining  over  from  Platte  county,  and  if  that  isn't 
enough  we  will  send  five  thousand  more.  We  've  come  to  vote, 
and  will  vote,  or  kill  every  G — d  d — d  abolitionist  in  the  territory." 
In  these  northern  precincts,  besides  being  armed  to  the  teeth  with 
guns,  bowie-knives,  and  revolvers,  the  ruffians  wore  hemp  in  their 
button-holes,  as  a  pledge  to  carry  out  the  designs  of  their  secret 
societies,  and  singularly  significant  of  the  fiendish  nature  of  the 
institution,  while  their  password  was  "  All  right  on  the  hemp." 

Major  Mordecai  Oliver,  member  of  Congress  from  Missouri,  — 
who,  it  will  be  remembered,  stated  on  the  floor  of  the  House  last 
spring  (during  the  debates  preceding  the  appointment  of  a  com 
mittee  to  look  into  the  wrongs  of  the  people  of  Kansas,  and  was 
appointed  one  of  the  number  at  his  own  request),  that  he  knew  of 
no  one  who  came  from  Missouri  to  vote  in  the  territory,  —  was 
himself  present  at  the  election,  and,  while  it  is  not  known  with  cer 
tainty  that  he  voted,  he  did  make  a  speech,  excusing  the  Missou- 
riuns  for  voting.  Four  hundred  and  seventeen  votes  were  polled 
at  this  precinct,  of  which  no  more  than  eighty  can  be  legal.  It  is 
not  to  be  supposed  that  even  wilful  blindness  could  have  concealed 
these  facts  from  his  sight.  Another  instance  of  the  elasticity 
which  one's  conscience  may  attain  may  be  cited  here.  While  the 
investigating  committee  were  holding  their  session  at  Westport, 
and  bands  of  armed  men  from  the  border  towns  were  continually 
in  the  streets,  making  both  day  and  night  hideous  with  their  vile 


THE   FIRST    ELECTION  —  FIRST    INVASION.  21 

curses,  and  by  their  oaths  calling  down  the  swift  vengeance  of 
Heaven,  Mr.  Oliver  to  the  committee  discountenanced  such 
unlawful  measures  in  the  attempt  to  make  Kansas  a  slave  state, 
but  was  said  to  have  been  heard  repeatedly  urging  on  the  ruffians 
to  deeds  of, horror,  in  words  of  their  own  choosing,  such  as  "  Wipe 
out  the  d — d  abolitionists  !  "  "  Drive  them  from  the  territory  !  " 
At  this  precinct,  where  Major  0.  made  his  speech,  the  voters  took 
the  oath  as  to  residence  in  the  territory.  The  grounds  of  their 
residence  were  the  following :  One  man  had  cut  some  poles,  and, 
laying  them  in  the  form  of  a  square,  it  constituted  his  claim. 
Another  based  His  right  to  a  claim  in  having  cut  a  few  sticks 
of  wood.  Col.  Burns  recommended  all  to  vote,  and  not  to  go 
home  without  voting.  The  pro-slavery  residents  in  this  precinct, 
as  in  some  others,  became  so  outraged  at  the  course  pursued  by 
the  lawless  invaders,  that  they  gladly  came  over  to  the  ranks 
of  the  free-state  party,  and  have  since  then  been  among  the 
firmest  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 

In  reference  to  the  protests  to  the  election,  Major  Richard 
son,  who  was  a  resident  of  Missouri,  and  whose  family  still  resides 
there,  but  who  was  the  pro-slavery  candidate  for  council,  with 
threats,  told  Dr.  Cutter,  the  free-state  candidate,  that  if  he  offered 
a  protest,  he  and  his  office  should  be  thrown  into  the  Missouri 
river. 

One  of  the  judges  in  the  third  district,  having  at  last  been 
driven  from  his  post,  where  he  was  determined  to  do  his  duty, 
made  affidavit  in  a  protest  of  the  illegality  of  the  election.  An 
indictment  for  perjury  was  found  against  him  by  the  grand  jury 
fifteen  months  ago,  and  is  still  pending.  Mr.  R.  has  not  been 
informed  what  is  the  nature  of  the  evidence  against  him,  or  who  is 
his  accuser. 

Mr.  W.  Phillips,  a  lawyer  of  Leavenworth,  made  affidavit  also 
to  a  truthful  protest  concerning  the  election.  A  meeting  was 
soon  called,  in  which  the  right  of  free  speech  upon  the  peculiar 
institution  is  denied,  as  being  subversive  of  the  quiet  of  the  com 
munity,  and  stigmatized  peaceable  citizens  of  free-state  sentiments 
as  fanatics,  incendiaries  and  traitors.  The  following  resolve  was 
passed  : 


22  KANSAS. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  institution  of  slavery  is  known  and  recog 
nized  in  this  territory ;  that  we  repel  the  doctrine  that  it  is  a  moral 
and  political  evil,  and  we  hurl  back  with  scorn  upon  its  slanderous 
authors  the  charge  of  inhumanity ;  and  we  warn  all  persons  not 
to  come  to  our  peaceful  firesides  to  slander  us,  and  sow  the  seeds 
of  discord  between  the  master  and  the  servant ;  for,  as  much  as 
we  deprecate  the  necessity  to  which  we  may  be  driven,  we  cannot 
be  responsible  for  the  consequences." 

A  committee  of  vigilance  of  thirty  men  was  then  appointed. 
These  steps  were  taken  preparatory  to  acts  of  violence  which 
would  follow,  that  the  pro-slavery  party  might  be  bound  together 
in  their  deeds  of  blood,  and,  as  one  man,  carry  out  their  nefarious 
designs.  Soon  after  this  meeting,  the  vigilance  committee  waited 
upon  Mr.  Phillips,  notifying  him  to  leave.  Upon  his  refusal  to 
do  so,  he  was  seized  by  them,  taken  across  the  river  to  Weston, 
Missouri,  several  miles  from  Leavenworth.  There,  after  being 
tarred  and  feathered,  and  one  side  of  his  head  shaved,  he  was 
marched  about  the  streets,  and  finally  sold  at  auction  to  a  negro. 

Just  one  week  after  the  other  meeting  proposing  these  acts 
of  lawless  indignity  upon  any  and  all  who  should  differ  from  them 
in  sentiment,  another  meeting  was  called.  K.  It.  Rees,  a  mem 
ber  elect  of  the  council,  presided  at  this  meeting  of  the  25th  of 
May,  1855.  This  same  Rees,  on  the  30th  of  March,  had  declared 
that  whoever  should  say  that  laying  out  a  town,  staking  a  lot,  or 
even  driving  down  stakes  on  another  man's  claim,  did  not  entitle 
him  to  a  vote,  was  either  a  knave  or  a  fool.  Judge  Payne,  a 
member  elect  of  the  House,  offered  the  following  resolutions, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  heartily  indorse  the  action  of  the  commit 
tee  of  citizens  that  shaved,  tarred  and  feathered,  rode  on  a  rail, 
and  had  sold  by  a  negro,  William  Phillips,  the  moral  perjurer. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  return  our  thanks  to  the  committee  for  faith 
fully  performing  the  trust  enjoined  upon  them  by  the  pro-slavery 
party. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  now  discharged. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  severely  condemn  those  pro-slavery  men 


THE   FIKrfX    ELECTION  —  FIRST   INVASION.  23 

who,  from  mercenary  motives,  are  calling  upon  the  pro-slavery 
party  to  submit  without  further  action. 

"  Resolved,  That,  in  order  to  secure  peace  and  harmony  to  the 
community,  we  now  solemnly  declare  that  the  pro-slavery  party 
will  stand  firmly  by  and  carry  out  the  resolutions  reported  by  the 
committee  appointed  for  that  purpose  on  the  memorable  30th." 

"This  meeting  was  eloquently  addressed  by  Judge  Lecompte." 
Thus,  Judge  Lecompte,  and  the  men  elected  by  force  and  fraud, 
not  "  inhabitants  of"  the  district  for  which  they  were  elected,  as 
the  organic  act  requires  (this  act  declaring  that  "  the  true  intent 
and  meaning  of  this  act  is  to  leave  the  people  there  perfectly  free 
to  form  and  regulate  their  domestic  institutions  in  their  own  way, 
subject  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States"),  are  the  leaders 
and  instigators  to  a  series  of  lawless  acts,  whose  end  we  cannot 
even  foresee,  against  the  peaceable  and  order-loving  citizens  of  the 
territory,  exposing  them  to  imminent  peril  from  drunken  mobs, 
and  death  by  fiendish  violence,  if  this  judge  and  these  law 
makers  so  desire.  In  such  hands,  and  at  the  mercy  of  such  men, 
are  our  lives  and  safety. 

No  other  country  than  this  witnesses  so  terrible  a  despotism. 


CHAPTER    III. 

EASTERN    EMIGRATION — BORDER   MEN. 

THE  first  Kansas  party  of  the  season  left  Boston,  March  13, 
1855,  under  the  charge  of  Dr.  C.  Hobinson.  There  were  nearly 
two  hundred  in  the  party,  men,  women  and  children.  We  reached 
Kansas  city  March  24.  The  name  of  Kansas  city  sounded  pleas 
antly  to  us,  wayfarers,  twelve  days  en  route  from  Boston;  and, 
having  trunks  and  carpet-sacks  all  locked,  we  were  ready  to  leave 
the  boat  in  anticipation  of  our  arrival.  When  the  cables  were 
thrown  out  upon  shore,  and  the  planks  lowered,  we  passed  off  the 
boat  and  entered  the  long  parlor  at  the  hotel,  only  a  few  steps 
distant.  The  mystery  was,  where  could  a  place  be  found  to  stow 
away  so  many.  Such  place,  however,  was  made  for  all,  and  sleep - 
without  the  boat's  continual  rocking  was  very  sweet. 

2dtk.  —  Another  boat  came  in  with  another  party  of  Kansas 
passengers.  I  awakened  to  find  the  hotel  directly  on  the  levee, 
the  street  very  narrow,  the  river  in  front  of  the  house,  and 
Clay  county  opposite,  with  forest  skirting  the  shore.  Wyandotte, 
settled  by  a  tribe  of  Indians  of  the  same  name,  was  also  in  sight, 
and  in  the  distance  the  buildings  looked  finely,  among  the  trees. 
My  husband  made  an  arrangement  to  accompany  a  portion  of  our 
fellow-travellers  into  the  country,  to  look  for  a  pleasant  location 
for  a  new  settlement. 

26th.  —  The  party  looking  for  a  location  left  this  morning  for 
a  trip  south,  and  will  return  to  Topeka  and  Lawrence.  Many  of 
our  party  are  busy  getting  teams  for  their  trip  into  the  country, 
buying  provisions,  and  the  general  outfit  for  a  few  weeks ;  and 
many  left  for  their  new  homes  in  the  territory  at  the  "  top  of  the 
morning."  We  hear  a  great  deal  said  here  of  the  preparations 


EASTERN   EMIGRATION  —  BORDER   MEN.  25 

the  Missourians  are  making  to  go  over  into  Kansas  to  vote  on  the 
80th.  We  heard  the  same  while  on  the  river;  crowds  are  coming 
from  Lexington,  also  from  one  hundred  miles  below  that  point. 
Mr.  P.,  who  was  to  carry  us  to  the  Baptist  Mission,  said  he  should 
be  ready  to  start  for  the  mission  by  ten  o'clock.  We  sat  with 
bonnets  and  shawls  on  over  an  hour ;  then  he  concluded  we  had 
better  stay  to  dinner.  About  four  o'clock,  he  said,  again,  we 
would  leave  Kansas  city ;  but,  as  he  was  continually  interrupted 
with  company,  we  were  not  fairly  in  the  wagon  until  another  full 
hour  had  passed. 

We  then  had  a  good  view  of  all  there  is  to  Kansas  city.  It  is 
a  most  singular  location  for  a  town,  being  a  gathering  together 
of  hills,  high  and  steep.  Houses  of  very  limited  dimensions  are 
perched  upon  all  the  highest  points.  They  have  usually  a  small 
porch  over  the  door,  or  light  piazza.  There  is  another  peculiarity 
prevailing  here,  as  elsewhere  in  Missouri ;  the  chimneys  are  all 
built  upon  the  outside  of  the  houses.  We  passed  several  of  our 
party  with  ox-teams.  In  one  of  the  great  lumber-wagons  was  a 
young  lady  from  Massachusetts,  who  in  this  way  was  attempting  to 
make  the  journey  of  more  than  a  hundred  miles  into  the  territory. 

It  was  near  evening  when  we  reached  Westport.  It  has  a  look 
of  recent  growth  —  some  good  brick  buildings  and  a  large  hotel. 
A  good  deal  of  the  Indian,  also  Sante  Fe,  trade  comes  in  here. 
We  were  late  at  Dr.  Barker's,  having  made  a  call  at  a  house  off 
of  the  road  for  some  time ;  and  I  was  completely  chilled  through 
on  arriving  there,  so  much  so  as  to  be  unable  to  walk  without 
assistance.  The  mission  is  situated  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
the  great  California  road,  four  miles  from  Westport,  and  about 
two  from  Rev.  Thomas  Johnson's  Methodist  Mission.  After  the 
road  turns  from  the  California  road,  it  descends  slightly,  and,  for 
an  eighth  of  a  mile,  is  skirted  with  timber  upon  either  side.  The 
night  was  not  dark,  being  starlight ;  and  there  was  novelty  in  the 
whole  scene  presented  before  us,  as  we  reached  the  terminus  of 
the  road.  A  large  yard  was  enclosed  by  a  high  fence,  with  stairs 
by  way  of  entrance.  Some  four  or  five  steps  were  on  the  outside 
of  the  fence,  a  platform,  perhaps  two  feet  in  width,  above  it,  and 
as  many  steps  on  the  inside.  The  occasion  of  such  an  uncouth 
3 


26  KANSAS . 

arrangement  I  cannot  divine,  although  it  prevails  all  through  the 
country.  The  houses  of  log,  making  five  or  six  rooms,  stretch 
along  parallel  with  the  fence,  and  at  some  distance  from  it.  The 
ground  is  still  descending.  The  first  effect  upon  one  used  to  high 
lands  is  most  singular.  There  is  a  feeling  of  oppression  at  the 
thought  of  dog-day  heats,  and  insecurity  in  spring  floods.  Several 
dogs  gave  us  greeting  as  we  alighted  from  the  carriage  and  stum 
bled  over  the  stairway.  We  were  glad  to  be  at  the  end  of  our 
evening's  ride  —  to  feel  safe  after  its  insecurity.  We  had  been 
off  on  a  wild,  untravelled  road,  to  see  a  person  who  had  sent  for 
Mr.  P.  to  come  and  see  him,  without  telling  him  the  reason  of 
such  message.  He  had  urgently,  however,  pressed  his  coming.  It 
was  dark  ere  we  reached  his  house,  and,  to  show  us  a  nearer  way 
back,  he  took  us  down  through  fields  and  by-paths.  He  walked 
behind  us,  and  I  could  not  resist  the  inclination  to  turn  my  head 
occasionally  to  see  what  our  guide  might  be  doing.  A  foe  in  the 
front  would  have  been  more  agreeable  than  in  the  rear,  though 
the  event  proved  there  was  no  occasion  for  fear. 

We  found  Dr.  Barker's  family  most  hospitable  and  pleasant, 
and  appreciated  thankfully  the  prospect  of  a  quiet  resting-place 
for  a  few  weeks  after  this  long,  wearisome  journey.  How  cheer 
fully  the  fire  beamed  a  welcome,  and  how  genial  its  heat  after  such 
a  chilly  ride !  The  great  logs  were  rolled  into  the  huge  fireplace, 
and  burned  and  crackled  until  every  corner  of  the  room  was  light 
as  day.  Sapper  being  over,  we  were  soon  in  dream-land ;  friends 
we  had  left  were  around  us ;  the  "  loved  and  lost "  were  near. 

27th.  —  The  sun  shining  in  at  our  windows  disturbed  our  slum 
bers  early,  just  before  the  little  Indian  girl  came  in  to  start  a  fire. 
One  glance  at  the  room  was  sufficient  to  show  that  our  host  and 
hostess  were  not  born  in  this  western  land.  Books,  pamphlets, 
pictures,  vases,  &c.,  were  on  all  the  tables,  walls,  and  everywhere. 
Sixteen  years  ago  they  came  to  the  West ;  and  Dr.  Barker  has 
worked  indefatigably  for  the  best  good  of  the  Shawnees.  As 
minister,  teacher,  and  physician,  he  has  labored  for  their  physical 
as  well  as  spiritual  good,  through  summer's  heat  and  winter's  cold, 
by  day  and  night,  with  unceasing  effort.  Through  the  evil  re 
ports  and  influence  against  him  of  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  his  school 


EASTERN    EMIGRATION  —  BORDER   MEN.  27 

has  been  discontinued.  A  colored  woman,  whom  he  assisted  to 
gain  her  freedom,  and  two  little  Indian  girls,  are  still  in  his  fam 
ily.  Since  this  emigration  to  the  territory  commenced,  their 
house  has  been  a  pleasant  home  for  many  on  their  way  thither ; 
some  remaining  with  them  six  or  eight  weeks.  Their  kindness 
will  be  gratefully  remembered  by  many. 

,  29M.  —  The  Missourians,  for  some  days,  have  been  passino-  into 
the  territory.  They  talk  loudly  of  "fighting,  and  driving  out 
the  free-state  men."  They  go  armed  and  provisioned.  There  is 
nothing  truer,  however,  than  that  "  stillest  waters  run  deepest ;  " 
and  the  most  courageous  men  usually  have  no  occasion  to  boast 
of  their  courage. 

30M.  —  It  is  the  election  day  in  the  territory.  "We  shall  hope 
to  hear  something  by  to-morrow  from  Kansas.  There  are  several 
families  stopping  here,  mostly  from  Indiana,  with  some  pleasant 
ladies  among  them.  Their  peculiarities  of  speech  cause  us  to 
smile  occasionally,  while  I  dare  say  our  Yankeeisms  are  as  strange 
td  them.  This  "  feeling  powerful  bad  "  and  "  mighty  weak  " 
sounds  oddly  to  us ;  so  also  when  they  say,  "  a  right  smart  chance 
of  calicoes."  There  is  a  little  English  woman  boarding  here. 
She  is  young  and  girlish.  She  was  born  in  India,  of  English 
parents,  and,  upon  their  death,  she  came  to  this  country.  She  is 
very  artless  and  childlike  in  her  manner,  and,  I  fear,  will  see  some 
hardships  in  frontier  life. 

31s£.  —  It  is  a  warm,  sunny  day.  The  spring  flowers  bloom  in 
every  sheltered  nook.  A  lemon-colored  flower,  like  adder's  tongue 
in  New  England,  bends  its  graceful  stalk  before  the  gentlest 
breeze.  We  have  been  out  over  to  the  high  grounds  overlooking 
tho  main  road  into  the  territory  for  miles ;  and  it  is  full  of  people, 
of  most  desperate  look.  They  come  on  horseback,  in  wagons,  in 
carts;  in  fact,  every  sort  of  vehicle  seems  to  have  been  put  in 
requisition  to  convey  these  men  into  the  territory.  Now  and 
then  a  carriage  of  more  pretensions  appeared,  and  was  probably 
occupied  by  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  gang.  The  horses,  as  well 
as  the  men,  looked  wearied  out  with  their  journey. 

Will  these  frauds  be  allowed  ?  or  are  they  a  part  of  the  system 
connived  at  by  a  corrupt  administration  to  force  slavery  into 


28  KANSAS. 

Kansas  against  the  desire  of  the  actual  settlers  ?  Mr.  P.  arrived 
from  Lawrence  this  afternoon  with  a  lady,  who  is  going  to  visit 
some  acquaintances  in  Independence,  Mo.  They  have  passed 
many  of  the  desperadoes,  on  their  way,  armed  with  all  kinds  of 
death-dealing  instruments.  They  carried  with  them  provisions 
and  whiskey,  and  baked  bread  by  the  roadside. 

April  Id.  —  Mrs.  C.  left  to-day  for  Independence.  Mr.  S.  and 
family,  from  New  Hampshire,  arrived..  Their  youngest  little  one 
sickened  on  the  way,  and  they  are  now  carrying  it  with  them  to 
Lawrence  for  burial.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  sickness  upon  the 
river,  especially  among  children. 

3d.  —  People  are  continually  coming  and  going.  Gentlemen 
leave  their  families  here,  while  they  look  up  a  situation  in  the 
territory.  They  go  into  the  nearest  towns  to  buy  grain  and  feed 
for  their  horses,  which  are  now  very  scarce  and  high. 

Towards  evening,  four  gentlemen  came  in  from  Lawrence.  The 
doctor,  with  others,  soon  came ;  and  the  number  continually  in 
creased,  until  there  were  fourteen  in  from  Lawrence.  A  very 
pleasant  family,  who  were  our  fellow-travellers  a  part  of  the  way, 
have  just  arrived ;  Mrs.  Nichols  also,  the  Brattleboro'  editress 
and  earnest  worker  for  the  rights  of  women,  with  a  young  lady, 
soon  to  be  her  daughter-in-law.  The  son,  and  chief  attraction  to 
this  young  lady,  was  already  in  the  territory.  Had  we  just 
arrived  in  the  West,  we  should  have  wondered  where  all  could 
find  resting-places  for  the  night ;  but  we  had  been  here  long 
enough  to  know  the  expansiveness  of  western  homes. 

4tk.  —  The  morning  was  bright  and  pleasant.  More  than  fifty 
slept  under  the  roof  last  night.  I  gave  up  my  room  to  some  of 
the  new  comers,  and  slept  on  comfortables  and  buffalo-robes  on 
the  floor  in  the  attic ;  and,  with  the  exception  of  an  occasional 
tug  at  my  pillow,  or  nibble  at  my  finger,  from  some  stray  mouse, 
I  never  slept  better. 

There  is  a  rumor  that  it  is  the  intention  of  those  Missourians 
elected  to  the  Legislature,  by  the  votes  of  the  overwhelming  forces 
who  went  into  the  territory  on  the  last  week  and  voted  on  the 
13th,  to  assassinate  Gov.  Reeder  unless  he  grants  certificates  of 
election.  They  have  so  declared ;  and  these  high-minded  gentle- 


EASTERN    EMIGRATION  —  BORDER    MEN.  29 

men  say  also  that  "  he  can  have  fifteen  minutes  to  decide  whether 
he  will  give  them  the  certificates,  or  be  shot."  Gov.  Reeder  has 
only  allowed  four  days'  time  in  which  the  protests  against  these 
frauds  can  be  sent  in.  We  fear  in  many  districts  the  time  will 
be  too  short  to  allow  them  to  be  canvassed.  Besides,  the  persons 
who  desire  to  do  it  are  in  danger  of  losing  their  lives  in  the 
attempt,  a  large  number  of  the  Missourians  declaring  openly  their 
intention  to  "  remain  in  the  territory  until  the  four  days  are  past, 
and  that  they  will  kill  any  one  who  endeavors  to  get  signers  to  a 
protest."  This  threat  will  intimidate  many. 

Word  came  from  the  Shawnee  Mission  that  armed  bands,  upon 
horseback  and  in  carriages,  were  assembling  there.  The  gentle 
men  who  came  from  Lawrence  had  mostly  gone  over.  As  my 
husband  sat  quietly  writing,  an  express  came,  desiring  his  attend 
ance  also.  There  have  been  so  many  threats  upon  the  part  of  the 
Missourians,  that,  had  we  any  faith  in  their  courage,  we  should 
have  believed  our  friends  in  imminent  peril  to-day.  As  it  was, 
we  bade  them  God-speed  with  light  hearts,  expecting  to  see  them 
again  at  sundown.  At  noon  a  messenger  returned,  and  reported 
all  quiet  at  the  mission.  Although  the  Missourians  number 
considerably  more  than  the  actual  settlers  gathered  there,  they 
seemed  to  think  their  forces  insufficient  to  justify  an  attack  either 
upon  Gov.  Reeder  or  them.  Gov.  Reeder,  having  been  loudly 
threatened  with  assassination  unless  he  granted  the  certificates  of 
election,  examined  the  papers  with  pistols  cocked  near  him. 

The  members  elect  were  holding  caucuses  during  the  day.  One 
of  the  gentlemen  from  the  territory  was  invited  by  an  acquaint 
ance  to  attend  one  of  them ;  and  he  assured  me,  as  he  looked  in 
upon  them  at  his  first  entrance,  their  stolid  faces,  their  disordered, 
rough  dress,  and  their  various  attitudes,  impressed  him  with  any 
thing  rather  than  their  wisdom.  Some  were  lying  on  the  benches, 
others  sitting  on  the  backs  of  the  same ;  and  he  could  hardly 
believe  such  a  body  of  men  desired  to  be  considered  grave  legis 
lators.  From  the  appearance  of  one,  at  least,  to  whom  a  paper 
was  given,  who,  after  scanning  it  closely,  gave  it  to  him  with  a 
request  that  he  should  read  it  aloud,  he  judged  he  could  not  read 
his  own  mother  tongue. 


30  KANSAS. 

5th.  —  In  every  district  where  the  election  was  contested,  and 
papers  sent  in  showing  the  fraud,  Grov.  Keeder  refused  to  grant 
certificates.  As  we  feared,  however,  the  time  allowed  was  so 
short,  the  protests  could  not  reach  the  mission  from  a  majority  of 
the  districts. 

6th.  — A  day  of  quiet  has  passed,  after  the  leaving  of  so  many 
people.  We  went  to  Westport  this  morning.  The  country  was 
most  pleasant.  The  air  was  dry  and  balmy  as  a  day  in  Jm.e. 
The  birds  were  carolling  among  the  bursting  buds  and  new- 
springing  leaves ;  the  butterflies,  flitting  here  and  there,  rejoiced  in 
their  young  life.  A  part  of  the  way  lay  through  the  woods,  where 
a  driver  needs  some  skill  to  pass  safely  among  the  stumps.  We 
met  a  party  of  the  Indians  dressed  in  their  native  costume,  in 
blankets  and  moccasins,  with  much  paint  upon  them,  feathers  and  a 
large  quantity  of  beads.  As  I  looked  back,  after  we  passed  them, 
and  saw  one  of  them  with  most  repulsive  face  also  scanning  us 
sharply,  with  one  hand  apparently  grasping  a  pistol  or  gun,  I  felt 
an  involuntary  shiver.  I  saw,  however,  at  the  next  moment,  it  was 
only  a  childish  fear,  and  that  mutual  curiosity  actuated  us. 

The  Kaw  Indians  are  the  most  uncultivated  of  all,  while  the 
Shawnees  have  made  good  advances  in  civilization.  They  have 
houses,  cultivate  their  lands,  and  wear  the  dress  of  Americans. 

Stk.  —  Attended  the  little  white  church  upon  the  rolling  prairie  to 
day.  Standing  as  it  does  upon  quite  an  elevation,  overlooking  a 
great  extent  of  woodland  and  prairie,  being  built  with  spire  point 
ing  heavenward,  it  reminds  me  of  dear  New  England,  and  her  pleas 
ant  villages  scattered  through  all  her  valleys  and  upon  all  her  hill 
sides.  Being  early,  I  noticed  the  Indian  worshippers.  Many  of 
the  men  seated  themselves  in  little  groups  upon  the  grass,  and 
entertained  each  other  in  their  odd-sounding  dialect.  The  women 
came  upon  horseback,  and,  after  tying  their  horses  to  the  fence  near 
by,  came  into  the  church,  and  maintained  most  strict  decorum 
throughout  the  entire  service.  With  the  exception  of  the  hand 
kerchief  upon  their  heads,  in  place  of  bonnet,  their  style  of  dress 
differed  in  no  way  from  our  own.  They  admire  rich  materials,  and 
gay  colors,  and  the  most  of  those  I  saw  at  church  were  clad  in 
chameleon  silks.  The  service,  although  we  could  understand  only 


EASTERN  EMIGRATION  —  BORDER  MEN.  31 

an  occasional  word,  was  very  impressive.  The  speakers,  especially 
the  interpreters,  had  rich  mellow  voices.  Their  quick  and  varied 
intonations,  their  rapid  mode  of  enunciation,  their  graceful  and 
most  expressive  gestures,  singularly  enchain  the  attention  of  the 
hearers,  and  impress  upon  them  the  substance  of  the  discourse. 
The  interpreter  was  a  fine-looking  man,  large,  well-formed,  and  with 
intelligence  speaking  in  every  feature. 

9tk.  —  Doctor  returned  with  E.  from  Kansas  city.  She  will 
go  with  him  to  Lawrence,  and  he  will  return  for  us  in  a  few  days. 
We  have  some  apples  sent  us  from  Kansas  city.  How  fresh  and 
nice  they  taste  in  these  warm  spring  days  !  I  have  been  down  to 
the  creek,  half  a  mile  from  the  house,  for  water.  The  well  here  is 
nearly  dry,  and  most  of  the  water  used  in  this  large  family  is 
brought  from  the  creek.  With  assistance  I  succeeded  in  bringing 
up  a  six-quart  pail  half  full  of  water.  A  young  married  lady  here, 
from  Indiana,  whose  whole  appearance  gives  evidence  of  unabated 
health,  her  lively  ways  bespeaking  a  rich  fund  of  good  nature,  who 
said  indeed  "  she  never  knew  what  it  was  to  be  tired,"  laughed 
merrily  at  us,  that  we  have  accomplished  so  great  a  feat.  I  enjoyed 
the  laugh  as  much  as  she,  and  am  quite  sure  that  it  borders  a 
good  deal  upon  the  ridiculous  to  go  half  a  mile  for  water,  and  get 
only  three  quarts.  But  one's  strength  is  not  equal  always  to  their 
will,  and  carrying  water  is  entirely  novel  business  for  me. 

\\th.  —  Doctor  left  with  E.  this  morning.  Soon  after  they 
left  we  were  attracted  by  the  sound  of  carriage  wheels,  and  looked 
out  of  the  window  to  see  what  new  comers  had  arrived.  There 
was  a  hack  stopping  at  the  gate,  and  two  ladies  alighted.  In.  de 
scending  the  steps  at  the  entrance  one  of  them  tripped  her  foot  and 
fell.  From  the  hearty  welcome  which  the  ladies  received,  we  knew 
they  must  be  friends,  and  we  were  soon  introduced  to  them  as  the 
sister  and  daughter  of  Dr.  Barker.  The  daughter  has  not  seen 
this  western  home  since  her  remembrance,  her  parents  having 
taken  her  on  to  New  England  when  she  was  a  mere  child,  and  this 
is  her  first  return,  now  that  she  is  "budding  into  womanhood." 
How  strangely  all  things  —  this  log  house  and  perfect  solitude 
everywhere,  fresh  as  she  is  from  the  sympathies,  the  gayeties,  the 
never-ceasing  prattle  of  young  school-girls  —  must  look  to  her  !  But 


»JS  KANSAS. 

most  singular  of  all  to  be  a  stranger  in  one's  father's  house,  where 
the  countenances  of  the  youngest  of  the  flock  are  unfamiliar. 
Mrs.  B.  is  a  person,  the  very  first  impression  of  whom  vdll 
be  that  of  her  superiority,  both  mentally  and  morally,  over  most 
others;  and  we  feel  that  if  the  mother  in  this  Indian  country  mu:-t 
commit  her  child  to  another's  care,  she  acted  wisely  in  giving  it  to 
her  charge.  Mrs.  B.  is  seeking  the  boon  of  health  iu  this 
change  of  residence. 

IBM.  —  One  day  here  is  like  every  other,  save  in  an  occasional 
change  of  faces  around  us,  as  the  new  comers  arrive  to  take  the 
places  of  others  just  leaving.  We  wrote,  read,  and  walked  out 
into  the  woods,  or  took  a  longer  walk  upon  the  prairie.  The 
woods  near  here  were  full  of  gooseberries  and  grape  vines.  Bit 
ter-sweet  and  running  roses  wound  their  tendrils  upon  the  branches, 
and  climbed  high  araong  the  trees.  The  red  berries  of  the  bitter 
sweet  were  still  hanging  on  the  vines.  We  have  tried  to  call  upon 
an  Indian  family  to-day.  We  followed  the  trail  through  the  woods, 
succeeded  in  getting  over  a  high  fence  which  enclosed  a  large  cul 
tivated  field  in  which  the  house  stands,  but  found  no  one  at  home. 

\kth. —  We  have  been  expecting  the  doctor  to-day  to  take  us  to 
Lawrence.  After  such  a  journey  as  this,  westward,  one  will  be  content 
with  bare  comforts,  and  humble  abodes,  where  there  is  quiet,  and  one 
feels  it  is  really  home.  There  is  truly  "  no  place  like  home."  At 
evening  some  gentlemen,  in  from  Lawrence,  reported  our  house  cut 
down,  and  the  workmen  ordered  to  stop  building,  by  Dr.  Wood,  a 
man  notorious  for  the  disturbances  he  has  occasioned  in  Lawrence. 

~\.5th.  —  Doctor  arrived  at  the  mission  in  the  early  evening,  and 
corroborates  the  statement  of  the  others.  During  his  temporary 
absence  from  Lawrence,  on  the  13th,  Dr.  Wood  and  other  choice 
spirits,  armed  with  revolvers,  went  up  to  the  house,  and,  after  com 
manding  the  workmen  to  leave,  commenced  to  cut  off  the  timbers 
with  an  axe.  The  workmen,  save  the  gentleman  who  had  the 
work  in  charge,  ceased  their  labor,  saying  they  would  do  so  until 
the  doctor's  return.  These  pro-slavery  men  were  determined  he 
should  have  no  house  there,  although,  for  a  longtime,  he  had  held 
the  claim  by  another  building;  but,  in  his  absence  from  the  terri 
tory,  one  of  these  men  attempted  to  "jump  the  claim."  The  next 


EASTERN  EMIGRATION  —  BORDER  MEN.  33 

morning,  the  doctor  went  to  the  house,  and  the  workmen  returned  to 
their  labor.  While  at  the  house,  he  met  Dr.  Wood,  who  had  gone 
out  of  Lawrence,  swearing  that  "  one  of  them  had  got  to  die  that 
morning."  He  was,  however,  very  quiet  and  peaceable.  Doctor 
told  him,  "  he  should  protect  the  house,  but  he  could  attempt  to 
take  it  down  any  time  he  pleased." 

IQtk.  —  We  went  to  Kansas  city  this  morning,  and  made  such 
purchases  as  we  feared  we  might  not  be  able  to  make  at  Lawrence. 
We  met  some  very  pleasant  people,  who  were  going  to  find  a 
home  in  the  territory,  and  returned  to  the  mission  at  evening. 

YJth.  —  We  leave  for  Lawrence  this  morning.  I  have  just  been 
into  the  woods,  after  some  rose  and  gooseberry  bushes,  not  knowing 
whether  I  can  get  them  near  Lawrence.  The  horse  is  lame,  having 
stood  where  the  wind  blew  on  him  during  the  night.  At  about  nine 
o'clock  our  buggy  was  packed,  and  we  also  packed  into  it,  and  a  car 
riage  never  held  more  or  greater  variety.  There  was  one  valise, 
three  carpet-bags,  baskets  of  crockery,  umbrellas,  cloaks,  bundles, 
stone  pitcher,  and  a  small  basket  of  crackers  and  gingernuts.  And 
in  the  midst  of  all  this  "  plunder,"  as  the  western  people  say, 
three  of  us  were  seated,  two  ladies  in  front,  and  the  doctor  behind. 
But  after  being  thus  packed,  with  geometrical  precision,  that  no 
square  inch  of  space  should  be  lost,  we  attempted  to  start.  The 
horse  proved  in  such  condition  that  we  proposed  walking,  and  giv 
ing  him  a  ride.  However,  after  a  mile  or  two  of  snail-like  progress, 
my  husband  walking,  and  raising  the  horse's  spirit  by  the  cheerful 
tones  of  his  voice,  we  began  again  to  cherish  hopes  of  reaching 
Lawrence,  which  we  had  been  brought  to  the  point  of  relinquish 
ing  altogether. 

We  passed  the  Quaker  Mission  a  little  distant  from  the  road, 
and  the  peach-trees  all  about  it  gave  it  a  cheerful  look.  Our 
road  lies  over  the  high  and  rolling  prairie,  and  never  was  fairer 
picture  hung  out  between  earth  and  heaven  to  feast  the  eyes  of 
nature's  lovers.  The  sky  was  cloudless  and  blue  as  ocean.  The 
air  was  fragrant  with  the  perfume  of  apple,  plum  and  grape  blos 
soms,  which  grew  in  clumps  by  the  wayside,  wherever  we  passed 
through  small  groves.  Emerging  from  these,  some  new  phase  of 
scenery  would  cause  new  expressions  of  delight.  Sometimes  we 


34  KANSAS. 

would  seem  to  be  on  the  very  height  of  the  land,  prairies  stretch- 
in"1  in  all  directions,  noble  forests  marking  the  line  of  the  rivers 
and  creeks,  while  the  mounds  far  away  in  the  distance  formed  a 
complete  amphitheatre. 

At  another  time  we  would  be  passing  rapidly  into  what  seemed 
to  be  the  cultivated  grounds  of  some  private  mansion,  over  a 
smooth  lawn,  where  the  tall  oaks  and  walnuts  were  grouped  in 
admirable  arrangement,  and  with  such  artistic  beauty,  in  many 
places,  that  it  was  difficult  to  realize  that  art  had  done  nothing 
here,  but  nature  all.  At  one  or  two  places  we  passed  ledges, 
where,  upon  the  highest  points,  the  stones  were  laid  up  in  walls 
as  regularly  as  if  laid  by  stone-masons.  There  were  deep  ravines 
also,  to  be  crossed,  which  test  the  strength  of  one's  nerves  some 
what.  These  are  skirted  with  graceful  trees,  while  the  water  in 
their  pebbly  beds  is  limpid  and  clear.  Just  beyond  one  of  these, 
with  the  green  branches  interwoven  above  us  to  shut  out  the  sun 
beams,  we  rested,  and  dined  as  best  we  might  on  crackers  and 
apples,  which  an  acquaintance  gave  us,  who  was  baiting  his  horse 
at  the  same  spot,  while  ours  nibbled  his  grass  with  a  most  satis 
fied  look  at  the  base  of  a  tree.  A  large  emigrant  wagon  was 
broken  down  near  us,  and  their  exertions  to  right  matters  for 
the  rest  of  the  journey,  as  well  as  their  gypsy-like  appearance  in 
camp,  added  not  a  little  to  the  interest  of  the  half  hour.  The 
friend  we  had  overtaken  would  be  our  co-traveller  the  rest  of  the 
way.  Our  afternoon's  ride  was  similar  to  that  of  the  morning, 
with  the  exception  of  more  company. 

The  stage,  filled  with  young  men,  settlers  just  arrived,  overtook 
us  in  the  afternoon,  and  was  sometimes  ahead  of  us,  and  some 
times  in  the  rear,  and  the  loud  tones  of  the  cheerful  horn,  fre 
quently  blown,  awakened  the  musical  echoes  from  prairie  and 
dell.  The  prairie  seemed  higher,  and  for  many  miles  at  some 
points  our  vision  was  uninterrupted.  A  few  isolated  Indian  huts 
were  passed  occasionally,  and  a  grave  of  an  Indian  warrior,  with 
the  skull  of  his  horse  and  dog  still  lying  upon  it.  These  were  to 
accompany  him  in  the  hunting  grounds  of  the  Great  Spirit.  We 
reached  the  Wakarusa  as  the  golden  sunlight  was  fading,  fast  fad 
ing,  for  we  have  no  twilight  here,  no  mountains  behind  which  the 


EASTERN   EMIGRATION  —  BORDER   MEN.  35 

sun  sinks,  still  shedding  its  lingering  beams  upon  earth  and  sky. 
We  made  our  descent  into  the  river's  bed  rapidly,  for  the  bank  is 
steep,  and  from  a  clear,  gushing  spring  in  the  shadow  of  the  trees 
overhanging  the  bank,  quenched  our  thirst.  A  heavily-loaded 
wagon  having  reached  the  top  of  the  opposite  bank,  and  the  horses 
proving  refractory,  has  slid  backwards  into  the  river.  It  was  no 
pleasant  sight  to  us.  However,  we  reached  the  top  safely  ;  and 
there  were  still  six  miles  between  us  and  our  destination,  our  new 
home  in  fair  Kansas.  We  drove  on  as  swiftly  as  stumps  in  every 
direction  in  the  wood  would  allow ;  the  trees,  which  stood  most 
nearly  in  the  road,  being  cut  down,  leaving  a  foot  or  more  of  the 
base,  which  required  a  good  deal  of  expertness  to  avoid.  After  I 
had  come  so  near  running  over  a  tree,  that  the  gallant  steed  bear 
ing  us  had  reason  to  discover  which  was  the  harder  of  the  two, 
his  head  or  the  tree,  the  doctor  took  the  ribbons,  and  guided  us 
onward  through  the  gathering  shadows.  We  saw  the  lights  from 
the  dwellings  in  Franklin,  as  we  passed.  Another  hour,  and  we 
were  home ;  yes,  home,  after  a  journey  of  near  two  thousand 
miles,  and  five  weeks  among  strangers,  sometimes  pinched  with 
cold,  and  sometimes  suffocated  with  heat,  crowded  into  dusty 
cars,  and  jostled  at  every  turn ;  tired,  sick  children,  and  worn 
out,  impatient  mothers  everywhere.  Give  us  fresh,  pure  air,  cold 
water  plenty,  a  shelter  from  the  sun  and  rain,  and  we  will  call  it 
home,  and  soon  gather  around  us  home  comforts  and  home  joys 
enough  to  verify  the  truth,  that  the  purest  joys  left  of  Eden  are 
found  under  the  home  roof. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

LAWRENCE. 

LAST  evening  we  saw  a  light,  which  my  husband  said  must  be  from 
our  house,  while  we  were  three  or  four  miles  distance.  On  arriv 
ing,  we  found  our  trunks,  furniture  and  bedding,  had  been  carried 
to  it.  Although  the  first  work  done  upon  the  house  was  upon  the 
Friday  before,  after  taking  supper  down  street,  we  preferred  going 
to  it  to  stopping  elsewhere.  One  room  was  clapboarded  within  a 
foot  of  the  chamber-floor,  loose  boards  were  laid  over  the  joists 
above  to  keep  out  the  rains  or  falling  dews.  The  windows  were 
also  similarly  protected  upon  each  side,  while  at  the  front  the 
glass  was  set.  There  were  mattresses  laid  upon  the  floor  and 
upon  the  lounge,  while  upon  the  table  a  candle  was  burning,  sup 
ported  by  a  candlestick  of  entirely  new  invention,  being  a  little 
block,  perhaps  three  or  four  inches  square,  with  four  nails  driven 
in  to  support  the  candle.  A  broom  had  also  been  provided,  and 
a  brimming  pail  of  cold  water.  Blessings  on  him  who  was  thus 
thoughtful  of  our  comfort !  By  nailing  a  buffalo-robe  at  the  door 
way,  and  arranging  some  articles  of  bedding  upon  chairs,  out  of 
one  room  we  made  two  for  the  night.  Sleep  was  never  sweeter 
or  more  refreshing  than  last  night,  after  a  long  drive,  with  the 
thermometer  standing  at  one  hundred  degrees. 

Was  awakened  early  this  morning  by  a  noise  around  the  house, 
and,  looking  through  a  crack  in  the  temporary  partition,  saw  a 
cow  very  demurely  examining  the  premises,  having  stationed  her 
self  in  the  quarter  which  will  soon  be  dignified  with  the  name 
of  dining-room.  My  anxiety  was  considerably  relieved,  as  my 
thought  on  awaking  was,  that  we  were  visited  by  the  same  house- 
destroyers  as  a  few  days  previous. 


LAWRENCE.  37 

When  we  came  to  look  out  upon  Lawrence  and  the  surround 
ing  country,  as  we  had  nearly  run  through  the  vocabulary  finding 
words  to  express  our  rapture  at  the  ever-changing  beauty  of  every 
part  of  our  route,  and  as  this  view  *rom  our  window,  and  from 
the  hill  beyond  us,  was  the  master-piece,  silence  expressed  most 
truly  our  feelings,  stirred  as  they  were  by  a  divine  hand.  The 
house  fronts  the  east,  and  is  situated  upon  an  elevation  command 
ing  a  prospect  unequalled  for  extent,  or  variety  of  loveliness,  for 
miles  in  all  directions.  Half  a  mile  to  the  north  sits  Lawrence, 
a  little  hamlet  upon  the  prairie,  whose  fame  has  even  now  crossed 
the  continent,  awakening  hopes  and  fears,  in  the  hearts  of  many, 
for  friends  who  for  six  months  have  battled  with  pioneer  life. 
Malignity  and  hatred  have  been  aroused  in  the  souls  of  others, 
who  see  in  this  little  gathering  of  dwellings  of  wood,  thatch, 
and  mud  hovels,  the  promise  of  a  new  State,  glorious  in  its 
future. 

The  town  reaches  to  the  riyer,  whose  further  shore  is  skirted 
with  a  line  of  beautiful  timber,  while  beyond  all  rises  the  Dela 
ware  lands,  which  in  the  distance  have  all  the  appearance  of 
cultivated  fields  and  orchards,  and  form  a  back -ground  to  the  pic 
ture  of  singular  loveliness.  To  the  eastward  the  prairie  stretches 
away  eight  or  ten  miles,  and  we  can  scarcely  help  believing  that  the 
ocean  lies  beyond  the  low  range  of  hills  meeting  the  horizon.  The 
line  of  travel  from  the  east,  or  from  Kansas  city,  passes  into  the 
territory  by  this  way.  Blue  Mound  rises  in  the  south-east,  and, 
with  the  shadows  resting  over  it,  looks  green  and  velvety.  A  line 
of  timber  between  us  and  Blue  Mound  marks  the  course  of  the 
Wakarusa,  while  beyond  the  eye  rests  upon  a  country  diversified 
in  surface,  sloping  hills,  finely  rolling  prairies,  and  timbered  creeks. 
A  half  mile  to  the  south  of  us,  Mount  Oread,  upon  which  our 
house  stands,  becomes  yet  more  elevated,  and  over  the  top  of  it 
passes  the  great  California  road.  West  of  us  also  is  a  high  hill, 
a  half  mile  in  the  distance,  with  a  beautiful  valley  lying  between, 
while  to  the  north-west  there  is  the  most  delightful  mingling 
together  of  hill,  valley,  prairie,  woodland  and  river.  As  far  as 
the  eye  rests,  we  see  the  humble  dwellings  of  the  pioneer,  with 
other  improvements. 
4 


38  KANSAS. 


.  —  A  dark,  dull  day;  almost  raining.  We  sit  with  cloaks 
and  bonnet  on  to  keep  warm,  and  sew  a  little.  Have  some  calls. 
We  walk  to  the  door  occasionally,  —  which  will,  when  hung,  open 
into  the  other  room,  —  forgetting  it  will  not  open  at  one's  bidding 
now.  It  is  cramped  up  to  stay  in  one  room  always,  though,  as  I 
hoped  before  leaving  Massachusetts,  we  "  have  out-of-doors  a 
plenty."  Doctor  brings  from  town  our  dinner,  to  save  our 
going  down.  It  consists  of  slices  of  cold  ham,  cookies  and 
doughnuts.  We  laugh  at  him  because  he  brought  no  bread, 
which  is  worth  more  than  all. 

2Qtk.  —  A  slight  rain  to-day.  The  flowers  are  springing  all 
over  the  hill-side  ;  purple  and  straw-color  being  the  prevailing 
colors.  A  little  lilac-colored  flower,  of  fern-leaf  variety,  fragile 
and  beautiful,  grows  under  every  step,  and  yellow  flowers,  resem 
bling  lupine,  are  everywhere.  The  hammering,  the  continual 
pounding  of  a  dozen  workmen  is  confusing,  and  we  walk  out  upon 
the  brow  of  the  hill  for  quiet  and  rest.  How  lovely  nature  has 
made  this  Kansas  valley,  and  yet  it  seems  as  if,  from  a  full  lap  of 
treasured  gems,  she  had  poured  out  the  fairest  here  !  More  ham 
and  cake  to-day,  —  no  bread.  Our  merriment  over  it  will  aid 
digestion,  even  though  it  be  cake  and  ham. 

2lst.  —  The  floor  in  the  dining-room  is  laid.  The  windows  are 
in.  The  door  between  the  rooms  is  taken  away,  and  the  stove  is 
set,  with  the  pipe  out  of  the  window,  after  the  true  pioneer  fash 
ion.  The  stove,  however,  will  put  one's  ingenuity  to  work  in 
lining,  it  being  second-hand.  Having  been  used  six  months  in  a 
boarding-house,  not  the  most  carefully,  the  furniture  is  minus; 
and  what  there  is,  is  of  unknown  use  to  me.  There  is  one  large 
iron  boiler,  which  would  cover  the  whole  front  of  the  stove,  one 
broken  gridiron,  one  large  dripping-pan,  two  tin  boilers  holding 
six  or  eight  quarts,  one  of  which,  near  the  top,  has  a  nose  —  the 
other,  close  to  the  bottom,  has  a  spout.  The  furniture,  which  is 
the  minus  quantity,  are  iron  kettles,  tea-kettle,  spider,  shovel  and 
tongs.  However,  we  get  supper,  stew  apples,  —  brought  from 
Massachusetts,  —  and  have  biscuits  without  butter.  It  is  a  real 
Graham  supper,  with  cold  water.  Provisions  are  scarce. 

The  old  Westminster  catechism  allows  works  of  neces- 


LAWRENCE.  39 

sity  and  mercy  to  be  done  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  we  baked 
some  pies;  but  Lad  breakfast  of  simple  griddle  cakes  with  syrup, 
made  of  sugar  and  water.  Even  the  shade  of  Sylvester  Graham 
might  have  looked  on  approvingly.  We  are  in  danger  of  no  in- 
termittents  from  clogged  liver  at  present.  So  far,  so  good.  We 
read  and  write  all  day.  Just  at  evening  walked  on  the  hill  above, 
near  the  first  camping-ground.  A  gentleman  and  lady  from  Mas 
sachusetts  came  in.  They  live  not  very  far  from  us.  The  lady, 
with  a  large  family  of  boarders,  seventeen  in  all,  in  one  little  room, 
seemed  disheartened.  They  had  had  some  sickness,  too.  They 
feel  the  change  from  comforts  to  privations. 

The  slit-work  for  the  stairway  is  set,  and  we  are  anticipating 
the  time  when  we  can  get  into  the  second  story.  How  our  friends 
in  the  East  would  pity  us,  did  they  know  just  how  we  live  ;  but  I 
dare  say  there  is  not  one  in  a  hundred  of  them  who  enjoys  the  half 
we  do.  We  are  deprived  of  no  comforts,  that  is,  of  anything 
essential  to  our  happiness  ;  for,  coming  to  the  real  root  of  the 
matter,  every  one  will  find  that  the  externals  have  but  little  to  do 
with  a  person's  real  enjoyment.  We  have  the  pure,  fresh  air,  in 
abundance  ;  we  have  fine,  even  spirits,  and  we  i'eel  that  to  live,  to 
breathe  in  such  a  country,  is  a  joy,  especially  on  a  day  like  this. 

*«  Under  the  hill  where  the  sun  shines  dimmer, 

Shrunk  from  the  eager  beam, 
The  work  goes  on  with  a  fitful  glimmer, 
And  music  for  a  dream. 

"  Over  the  groves  and  moistened  meadows 

The  steady  gray  hawks  wing, 
And  down  below  in  the  shifting  shadows 
The  merry  small  birds  sing." 

A  gentleman  from  Philadelphia,  of  most  polished  manners  and 
brilliant  address,  is  here  to-night. 

24^.  —  Doctor  returned  last  night,  after  we  had  retired  to 
rest.  The  town  was  full,  and  his  friend  returned  with  him.  Doc 
tor  made  a  bed,  that  is,  laid  down  a  buffalo  robe  on  the  floor,  and, 
putting  another  at  the  door,  formed  a  sleeping  apartment  of  the 
kitchen  and  dining-room,  pro  tern.  Pie  was  missing  before  we 
awakened  ia  the  morning. 


40  KANSAS. 

We  can  get  no  butter,  no  syrup,  no  milk,  no  potatoes.  There 
is  an  abundance  of  nothing  save  cheese,  beef,  ham,  and  sugar.  We 
made  doughnuts,  and  after  a  consultation  fried  them  in  a  two- 
quart  tin  upon  the  top  of  the  stove.  The  smoke  of  the  fire  seems 
to  have  some  strange  attraction  into  the  room,  and  E.  and  I  take 
turns  going  out  upon  the  staging  to  turn  the  pipe,  with  like  suc 
cess  each  time,  not  being  able  to  move  it  at  all.  However,  as  the 
smoke  poured  out  more  and  more  with  every  extra  whiff  of  the 
wind,  and  promised  to  add  a  seasoning  to  our  cooking  which  we 
had  not  intended,  we  went  each  time  to  test  our  strength,  hoping 
the  emergency  had  brought  an  addition.  Some  strangers  called, 
and,  in  a  room  sixteen  feet  by  twelve,  containing  lounge,  table, 
eight  trunks,  two  dry  goods'  boxes,  and  chest,  besides  chairs,  there 
was  no  extra  room. 

2§tk.  —  Doctor  accompanied  three  other  gentlemen  upon  a  tour 
of  discovery  into  the  country  two  or  three  hundred  miles.  They 
will  be  gone  ten  days.  They  dined  with  us  before  leaving.  They 
are  used  to  the  simplicity  of  Kansas  fare  at  present,  else  1  would 
have  been  embarrassed  in  setting  it  before  them.  An  old  gentle 
man  will  do  errands  and  take  care  of  everything  in  doctor's  ab 
sence.  We  hear  the  wolves  howling  at  night,  and  the  bells  on  the 
cattle  that  have  an  attachment  for  this  hill  keep  me  awake. 

2Qtk,  —  A  most  delightful  day.  It  seemed  wicked  not  to  gather 
new  life  and  cull  enjoyment  from  the  bright  skies  and  blooming 
prairies.  Soon  had  the  horse  put  into  harness,  and  was  bound 
ing  over  them.  We  wanted  to  call  upon  a  friend,  who  was  of  our 
party,  from  Massachusetts.  We  could  see  her  house  plainly  from 
ours,  but  took  the  wrong  road  when  nearly  there. 

We  came  upon  an  abrupt  ravine,  and  the  young  lady  with  me 
said  she  must  get  out.  I  tried  to  persuade  her  to  remain —  that 
I  would  take  her  safely  over ;  but  my  persuasions  were  useless, 
and  she  alighted.  "  Old  Gray  "  and  I  went  through  it  alone,  all 
right.  We  soon,  however,  came  upon  a  second  ravine,  where  even 
he  declined  going.  He  said,  as  plainly  as  words  could,  that  he 
would  n't  go  ;  but  in  a  twinkling  he  started  off  a  little  to  the  right, 
and  came  upon  another  and  more  travelled  road,  where  there  was 
a  bridge,  rudely  constructed,  but  safe.  A  few  minutes  more  passed, 


LAWKENCE.  41 

and  we  met  our  friend  at  her  little  log  cabin  door.  Everything 
looked  comfortable,  she  was  glad  to  see  us,  and  we  enjoyed  our  call 
much.  We  took  a  different  route  home,  and  found  so  many  beau 
tiful  flowers,  each  one  seeming  more  lovely  than  the  last,  that  we 
hardly  could  be  satisfied  unless  we  gathered  them  all. 

21th.  —  In  the  afternoon,  horse  and  buggy  were  again  put  into 
requisition  fur  a  two  miles'  drive  in  search  of  the  friend  we  met  at 
the  mission.  She  had  lived  nearly  all  her  life  in  Boston,  and  was 
wholly  unaccustomed  to  hardships,  and  unused  to  many  things  in 
domestic  economy  with  which  country  people  are  familiar,  al 
though  they  may  never  have  lent  their  own  hands  to  the  work. 
By  instinct,  almost,  we  found  the  cabin  on  the  edge  of  a  bluff, 
looking  as  if  some  high  wind  might  take  it  over ;  but  the  door 
opened  upon  a  finely  rolling  prairie,  dotted  all  over  with  flowers, 
which,  in  variety  of  color,  vied  with  the  rainbow. 

The  cabin  was  of  wood,  and  small,  yet  with  bed  nicely  dressed 
in  snowy  linen,  little  table  with  white  cover,  upon  which  were  placed 
a  Chinese  work-box  and  vase  of  flowers,  easy-chairs,  of  home 
manufacture,  just  ready  for  the  stuffed  covers ;  a  stranger  would 
at  once  perceive  that  the  presiding  genius  of  all,  fragile  and 
slight,  dressed  in  gingham  of  the  smallest  plaid,  with  linen  collar, 
had  come  from  far  New  England;  and,  whether  the  home  be 
humble  or  lofty,  elegance  and  taste  would  bring  out  their  treas 
ures  to  make  it  pleasant.  Her  husband,  a  New  Yorker  by  birth, 
by  profession  a  lawyer,  a  poet,  and  musician,  allured  by  the  health- 
giving  clearness  of  Kansas  atmosphere,  had  sought  and  found  that 
inestimable  treasure.  He  came  in  while  we  were  there;  had  driven 
home  a  cow  just  purchased.  It  was  decided,  against  my  earnest 
protest,  that  she  should  be  milked,  and  that  I  should  carry  the 
milk  home  with  me.  It  was  but  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  —  an 
unusual  time  for  milking,  I  was  sure  ;  but  they  thought  one  time 
would  do  as  well  as  another,  and  persisted  in  it,  and  I  carried 
home  the  first  milking,  which  proved  much  to  my  chagrin  when  I 
heard  of  it  the  last  for  that  day. 

2,)tk.  —  We  attended  church.  How  strangely  everything  ap 
peared  !  The  hall  where  the  meetings  are  held  is  in  a  two-story 
wooden  building.  It  is  simply  boarded  with  cotton-wood,  and  that, 
4* 


42  KANSAS. 

to  a  person  in  the  country,  is  explanation  sufficient  of  its  whole 
appearance ;  for  the  sun  here  soon  curls  the  boards,  every  one 
shrinking  from  every  other,  leaving  large'cracks  between.  For  a 
desk  to  support  the  gilded,  morocco-covered  Bible,  sent  to  the 
Plymouth  church,  a  rough  box,  turned  endwise,  and  standing  near 
one  end  of  the  hall,  was  used.  The  singers,  with  seraphine,  were 
seated  upon  one  side  of  the  preacher,  while  upon  the  other  side, 
also  fronting  the  desk,  were  other  seats  —  rough  boards,  used 
until  the  settees  are  finished.  All  this  seemed  rough  and  uncouth, 
and  at  the  first  moment  we  felt  that  two  thousand  miles  lay  be 
tween  us  and  the  pleasant  sanctuaries  of  our  fathers,  where  they 
tread  the  aisles  on  soft  carpets,  listen  to  the  word  read  from  its 
resting-place  of  richest  velvet,  and  to  the  pealing  organ's  deep, 
rich  tones.  But  when  we  looked  upon  the  pleasant  faces  around 
us,  so  familiar  all  in  look,  in  manner,  in  attire,  and  the  services 
commenced  with  the  singing  of  hymns  learned  long  ago,  and  we 
heard,  in  the  persuasive,  winning  tones  of  the  preacher,  the  same 
heavenly  truths  which  will  render  one's  life  here  as  holy  as  else 
where,  let  us  so  will  it,  we  felt  that  New  England  was  in  our 
midst.  We  realized  more  fully  the  truth,  which  has  been  pervading 
our  thoughts  for  many  days,  that  "  a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in 
the  abundance  of  the  things  which  he  possesseth."  Happiness 
does  not  consist  in  the  furnishings  of  the  upholsterer.  It  raiy  be 
as  pure  and  unalloyed  in  "gypsy  tent  as  in  palace  hall."  Most  of 
us  have  come  to  this  far-away  land,  with  a  mission  in  our  hearts,  a 
mission  to  the  dark-browed  race,  and  hoping  here  to  stay  the  surg 
ing  tide  of  slavery,  to  place  that  barrier  which  utters,  in  unmis 
takable  language,  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no  further."  This 
unlocks  our  hearts  to  each  other,  and  at  once  we  recognize  a  friend 
actuated  by  like  sympathies  and  hopes. 

At  the  Sabbath  school  many  children  were  gathered,  who  en 
tered  with  zest  into  the  exercises,  while  there  were  learners  older 
in  years,  young  men,  buoyant  in  the  active  life  opening  before 
them,  and  some  with  whom  gray  hairs  were  honorable. 


CHAPTER    Y. 

KANSAS   HOMES. 

MRS.  T.,  a  young  lady  from  Boston,  is  dead.  Just  one  year 
from  the  day  of  her  marriage  she  was  attired  for  the  grave.  In 
this  early  spring,  when  nature  is  so  beautiful  in  young  leaves  and 
opening  buds,  and  full  of  promise,  the  hopes  of  the  young  hus 
band  are  blasted.  Earth  and  sky  wear  a  pall.  Slowly  the  mourn 
ers  wind  through  the  prairie,  and  over  the  high  hill  beyond  us,  to 
the  lowly  cemetery.  "We  all  feel  that  death  is  indeed  here.  It 
has,  with  unerring  aim,  stricken  down  the  young  and  beautiful. 
Tenderly  we  would  offer  sympathy,  realizing  well  that  "  every 
heart  knoweth  its  own  bitterness  "  in  hours  of  bereavement,  and 
shrinks  from  many  words,  though  kindly  spoken. 

Death  to  us  here,  away  from  one's  early  friends,  one's  old  home, 
has  more  than  its  usual  significance,  and  the  tidings  of  one  laid 
low  in  our  little  settlement  awakens  a  thoughtfulness  and  a  ten 
derness  for  the  bereaved  and  heart-stricken,  which  in  the  old  homes 
we  felt  not,  save  for  a  dear  friend.  We  make  their  sorrow,  their 
utter  loneliness,  our  own.  So  different  is  it  from  the  olden  towns, 
where  life  is  crowded,  and  if,  in  the  bustle  and  jostling  of  each 
other,  one  now  and  then  falls,  the  crowd  presses  on,  and  the  gap 
closes.  Here,  there  is  a  sad  feeling  for  many  and  many  a  day, 
and  we  realize  that  changes  as  sudden  may  await  us  all. 

We  have  showers  to-day,  quick,  pouring  showers,  and  in  the 
intervals  the  sunlight  seems  intense  with  its  life-giving  powers. 
How  nature  is  robing  herself  in  the  richest  of  green  !  For  hours 
I  have  looked  out  upon  her  changing  forms,  with  many  crowding 
thoughts  of  home,  of  friends  scattered  all  through  New  England 
dells  and  mountains  —  of  friends  passed  onward  into  the  spirit  life, 


44  KANSAS. 

whose  presence  is  at  all  times  near  me,  but  with  peculiar  vivid 
ness  to-day  ;  of  the  duties  of  life,  especially  of  those  resting  upon 
us  in  this  age,  when  the  spirit  of  liberty,  of  manliness  even,  is 
giving  way  before  the  increasing  thirst  for  gold,  whhh  is  the  god 
of  this  country.  I  have  \vatched  the  new  and  varied  phase  of 
those  noble  trees  across  the  river.  How  the  leaves  grow  !  How 
the  rain-drops  glitter  like  gems,  as  the  sun,  with  clouds  passed  by, 
shines  out  brilliantly  again  ;  and  as  the  bow  of  promise  spanned 
all,  this  thought,  like  it,  was  born  of  the  sunshine  and  the  shower. 

We  are  passing  through  hours  of  imminent  danger  to  the  liber 
ties  of  the  country.  "  The  old  landmarks  have  been  removed," 
and  "  men  have  framed  mischief  by  law."  Yet,  serenely  above  all 
these  commotions,  this  treachery,  this  fraud  of  man,  holding  the 
seals  of  justice,  sits  God  upon  his  throne.  And  out  of  all,  in  his 
own  good  time,  he  will  again  bring  the  reign  of  righteous  men,  and 
the  laws  of  our  country  shall  Lave  for  their  basis  love  and  truth. 
Give  us  courage  to  act  when  the  hour  calls  for  action,  and  faith 
to  wait  when  endurance  is  our  cross.  We  in  Kansas  can  see  with 
clear  vision  the  workings  of  this  hydra-headed  monster,  whose  seat 
is  at  Washington,  and  whose  power  emanates  therefrom,  and  whose 
unholy  name  is  Human  Slavery. 

May  "Id.  —  "  Old  Gray  "  is  lent  to  a  friend  to-day ;  so  we  lose 
our  intended  ride.  Mr.  S.  brings  us  a  basket  of  eggs  from  the  Dela 
ware  country.  WTe  are  beginning  to  get  more  articles  which  seamed 
essential  in  house-keeping  at  home,  but  which  are  difficult  to  get 
here,  as  many  people  are  ready  to  tfake  them  the  moment  they  are 
brought  in.  Many  of  the  new  comers  neglect  to  provide  them 
selves  with  the  staples  of  life  at  Kansas  city;  so,  as  soon  as  flour 
and  groceries  are  brought  in  here,  they  take  them  back  into  the 
country,  leaving  us  a  continual  dearth.  Somehow,  by  the  happy 
genius  of  invention,  of  which  long  ago  necessity  was  acknowl 
edged  the  mother,  we  have  always  had  enough  of  the  good  things 
of  this  life,  and  have  most  faithfully  followed  the  last  clause  of 
the  injunction  which  the  rich  man  in  Scripture  lays  to  his  soul, 
"  eat,  drink,  and  be  merry" 

Mr.  W.,  the  old  gentleman  who  acts  for  us  in  the  capacity  of 
prime  minister  of  all  work  about  the  house,  in  the  occasional 


KANSAS   HOMES.  45 

absence  —  I  might  more  truthfully  say  occasional  presence  at 
home  —  of  my  husband,  croaks  a  good  deal,  that  we  "will  have 
a  famine  in  the  autumn  —  that  starvation  will  drive  us  far  from 
the  country,  because,  forsooth,  to-day  there  is  no  flour  in  town. 
It  seems  to  me  quite  probable,  while  flour  is  plenty  in  Mis 
souri  at  three  and  a  half  dollars  per  sack,  and  sells  here  «t  six 
and  a  half,  that  the  Missourians  will  bring  it  over;  not  so 
much  out  of  friendly  regard  for  us,  "  poor  Massachusetts  pau 
pers,"  as  of  interested  feeling  for  their  pockets.  In  that  at 
least  I  have  implicit  trust.  E.  goes  on  an  exploring  expedition 
for  yeast,  and  is  successful  in  getting  some  which  looks  neither 
"  lively"  nor  clean.  Indeed,  it  looks  as  though  some  very  strong 
chemical  action  must  be  brought  to  bear  upon  it,  in  order  to 
raise  good  bread. 

3rf.  —  Towards  night  was  glad  to  welcome  to  our  house  a 
young  lady,  also  a  fellow-traveller  upon  the  river.  The  family 
with  whom  she  travelled  are  exceedingly  fine  people.  They  are 
intending  to  settle  at  Manhattan,  upon  the  Big  Blue,  seventy-five 
or  one  hundred  miles  from  here.  The  country  there  is  called  by 
many  more  beautiful  than  this,  yet  they  who  go  there  must  pos 
sess  courage  beyond  mine  to  live  so  far  from  any  steam  line  of 
communication  with  the  states. 

Like  most  Kansas  emigrants,  this  young  lady  and  her  friends 
have  tasted  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life.  On  leaving  Kansas 
city  three  days  since,  and  getting  out  of  town  a  short  distance, 
their  horses  became  entirely  unmanageable.  Notwithstanding 
the  depth  of  the  mud,  owing  to  the  recent  heavy  showers,  the 
ladies  were  set  out  into  it,  and  for  quite  a  distance  carried  the 
children  in  their  arms.  The  effort  being  ineffectual  towards  fur 
ther  progress  that  night,  they  camped  by  the  road-side  and  slept 
amid  the  dampness  and  falling  rain. 

They  have  also  been  visited  with  sickness.  While  Mr.  D.,  after 
great  prostration,  has  recovered,  the  little  one,  the  "pet  lamb  "of 
the  flock,  has  "gone  ho^^,"  without  tasting  earth's  trials,  or 
breasting  its  stormy  flood, 

4th.  —  I  sent  E.  to  n.  earest  neighbor's  this  morning  for 
milk ;  without  success,  ho»v  3r.  Among  all  these  cows  which 


46  KANSAS. 

are  grazing  over  all  the  hills,  reminding  one  continually  of  the 
sweet  pictures  of  pastoral  life,  where  the  cattle  feed  upon  a  thou 
sand  hills,  and  the  dwellers  of  the  land  make  their  homes  in  tents, 
it  seems  strange  that  milk  is  so  difficult  to  procure.  E.  finds 
more  acquaintances  at  Mr.  S.'s,  and  they  too  are  "  passing  under 
the  rod."  The  wing  of  the  dark  angel  is  hovering  near  to  bear 
away  the  little  child,  whose  pallor  now  rivals  the  linen  which  the 
wan  cheek  presses. 

We  go  out  to  ride  over  these  glorious  old  prairies,  where  till 
now  the  moccasined  foot  of  the  Indian  has  alone  pressed  the 
soil.  We  called  for  a  friend,  and  rode  several  miles.  How  I 
have  longed  for  my  eastern  friends  to  be  with  me  in  such  pleas 
ure-drives  as  these,  that  I  might  hear  their  bursts  of  enthusiasm 
at  sight  of  this  world  where  nature  has  been  prodigal,  or 
their  exclamations  of  fear  as  we  approach  some  deep  ravine 
lying  between  us  and  the  fairy  land  beyond  !  Flowers  of  every 
shade  of  color,  and  every  variety  of  form,  would  entice  us  be 
yond  the  bounds,  and  my  assurance  of  safe  passage  over  would 
calm  their  fears.  Tame  to  them  as  to  me  would  seem  the  every 
day  dull  routine  of  conventional  life,  its  old  beaten  track  of 
set  forms  and  ceremonies,  from  which  if  one  deviates,  criticism, 
the  stern  censor  of  society,  labels  him  as  odd,  eccentric,  simple, 
or  independent.  Freedom  is  a  blessed  thing,  and  thrice  blessed 
is  freedom  of  will,  freedom  of  intellect,  freedom  of  action. 

The  little  wan  child  is  dead.  The  measles  have  been  fatal 
here  beyond  all  experience.  The  bereaved  sister  will  stay  with 
us  to-night. 

5tk.  —  I  rose  early  this  morning.  As  I  reached  the  dining- 
room,  with  my  foot  on  the  last  stair,  a  movement  at  the  door,  a 
rustling  attracts  my  attention.  The  buffalo  robe  is  pulled  away, 
and  a  familiar  face  fills  the  small  gap.  After  little  ceremony  I 
run  to  tell  E.  that  her  father  has  come  —  just  from  Massachusetts 
and  home.  How  the  questions  crowd  upon  him,  and  how 
strangely  it  seems  to  us  that,  in  the  two  months  of  our  absence 
from  Fitchburg,  something  of  greater  moment  has  not  happened ! 
While  we  have  been  passing  through  new  scenes,  continually 
meeting  people  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  with  their  pecu- 


KANSAS   HOMES.  47 

liarities  awakening  an  interest  in  us,  and  giving  zest  to  their  con 
versation,  each  day  varied  with  some^new  incident,  we  are  look 
ing  for  something  new  and  strange  from  home. 

Some  ladies  from  Massachusetts  soon  call.  One  of  them  came 
with  the  second  New  England  company,  and  has  been  through  the 
heats  of  the  day.  They  brought  a  bouquet,  which  for  beauty 
would  compare  favorably  with  any  green-house  collection.  As 
they  pranced  their  horses  gayly  from  the  door,  and  over  the  table 
land  between  us  and  the  brow  of  the  hill  north,  nothing  could 
have  looked  finer. 

The  evening  shadows  fall,  another  week  is  at  an  end,  and  seated 
around  the  table  we  are  writing  to  home  friends,  when  there  is  a 
new  rattling  at  the  rickety  door-step,  and,  almost  before  we  can 
turn  to  see,  doctor  conies  in  under  the  buffalo  robe.  He  has  been 
just  ten  days  from  home.  The  pleasant  light  shining  from  the 
windows  gave  him,  in  advance  of  us,  a  glad  welcome.  They  had 
been  two  hundred  miles  back  in  the  country,  and  there  as  here 
a  most  delightful  region  invites  settlement. 

Qtk.  —  Exclamations  of  delight  from  E.'s  room  called  me  early 
from  mine.  Words  poorly  convey  an  idea  of  the  exceeding  beauty 
of  the  scene.  A  mist  was  slowly  ascending  from  the  river. 
The  sun,  in  a  chariot  of  fire,  was  mounting  upwards  from  a  bed 
of  golden  clouds,  and  his  beams  encircled  earth,  air  and  sky,  in  a 
halo  of  glory;  the  mists  still  rising  became  a  silver  sheen,  through 
which  the  ibliage  on  the  further  bank  looked  yet  more  green  and 
brilliant.  It  was  a  beautiful  harbinger  of  the  Sabbath  morning, 
which  to  man  brings  peace  and  quiet  here,  and  offers  glory  in  the 
unending  ages.  The  quiet  of  the  day  is  most  grateful.  Before 
time  for  service,  Mr.  P.  came  in  from  "  Fisk's,"  nine  miles  from 
here,  in  (he  Shawnee  Reserve.  We  attended  church  and  Sabbath 
school.  In  the  evening  sang  Whittier's  gem  of  a  Kansas  song. 
Some  beautiful  bouquets  were  passed  in  at  the  door.  They  were 
fairy  gifts,  the  giver  remaining  unseen. 

7th.  —  The  grass  is  getting  so  high,  and  we  are  so  far  from  the 
road,  Mr.  W.  spends  a  long  forenoon  in  beating  down  the  grass, 
and  making  a  wide  path.  We  ride  out  again  to  see  our  Boston 
friend.  She  had  been  trying  to  churn,  with  the  cream  in  a  large 


48  KANSAS. 

tin  pall,  and  a  large  square  place  cut  in  the  cover  for  the  dasher. 
She  churned,  and  her  husband  churned,  until  they  were  both  weary, 
and  of  the  opinion  that  country  life  has  its  cares  as  well  as  pleas- 
urea.  A  now  thought  came  to  the  gentleman  —  he  had  seen 
some  one  pour  in  cold  water  to  facilitate  the  butter-making,  as  it 
oegan  to  look  like  coming.  No  sooner  thought,  than  acted  upon ; 
but  the  butter,  alas !  remained  cream  in  statu  quo.  The  day  be 
fore,  a  large  rattlesnake,  attracted  by  the  genial  warmth  near  the 
stove,  had,  without  waiting  for  invitation,  or  being  assured  of  a 
welcome,  crawled  in  through  a  huge  crack,  and  stretched  out  his 
three  feet  of  length.  With  a  scream  or  two  on  the  part  of  the 
lady,  and  some  dexterous  and  telling  blows  by  a  stronger  arm,  his 
snakeship  was  rendered  harmless,  though  a  most  ugly  object.  I 
noticed  a  bottle  of  medicine  on  the  little. white-covered  table, 
and  over  it  pinned  upon  the  wall  a  recipe  for  rattlesnake  bites, 
and  a  sure  cure. 

Upon  our  leaving,  my  friend  was  determined  to  share  with  me 
the  unfortunate  cream.  So,  with  one  six-quart  pail  of  cream, 
and  another  of  milk,  and  a  pretty  bunch  of  flowers,  we  started 
for  home.  It  was  no  easy  matter  to  carry  such  full  measures 
without  spilling;  but,  by  very  careful  driving  down  the  hills,  the 
friend  with  me  carrying  one  pail  while  we  steadied  the  other  in 
the  bottom  of  the  wagon,  we  reached  Lawrence  in  safety. 

8/A.  —  I  wanted  to  boil  eggs  at  noon,  but,  as  many  times  before, 
when  proposing  to  cook  something  new,  a  dilemma  arose.  This 
time  it  came  in  the  lack  of  a  kettle  to  be  used.  Doctor's  expe 
rience  in  roughing  it  in  California  was  again  useful,  and  upon  his 
suggestion  the  eggs  came  out  of  the  copper  boiler  properly  cooked. 
A  gentleman  in  at  dinner  spoke  of  some  beautiful  straw-colored 
flowers  he  had  seen  on  the  hill  above  us.  E.  and  I  started  off, 
after  dinner,  with  shovel  in  hand,  to  get  some  for  transplanting. 
We  went  half  a  mile,  and  found  a  number  of  very  beautiful 
bunches,  but,  after  persevering  eiforts,  were  obliged  to  leave  them, 
their  firmly-set  roots  still  clinging  to  the  soil.  We  took  up  a  few 
rose-bushes  to  set  about  the  house. 

Among  the  stones  down  the  side  of  the  ledge,  a  little  blue 
flower,  with  lily-like  leaf,  looked  out  temptingly ;  and  carefully,  be- 


KANSAS   HOMES.  49 

ing  most  fearful  of  a  fall,  I  clambered  down,  and  was  paid  for  all 
my  trouble,  all  my  labor  in  working  upon  roots  I  could  not  re 
move,  in  the  realization  of  the  fact  that  one  of  our  garden  favor 
ites,  the  graceful  spiderwort, grows  wild'  here. 

The  house  is  full  of  company  this  evening,  and,  with  the  open 
partitions,  there  is  no  quiet  anywhere.  Dr.  C.,  a  practising  phy 
sician  here,  who  came  from  Georgia  recently,  and  his  brother-in- 
law,  just  arrived,  are  the  last  who  call.  They  are  very  gentle 
manly  men,  of  northern  birth,  education  and  intelligence,  with 
southern  ease  of  manner.  Very  many  of  this  class  of  people 
are  looking  to  Kansas  for  a  home  —  a  home  free  from  the  curse, 
the  blighting  mildew  of  slavery,  with  genial  climate,  and  the 
intercourse  of  enlightened,  refined  people  surrounded  by  the  insti 
tutions  of  free  labor. 

9M.  —  Our  stove  smoked  terribly.  We  moved  it  from  the  west  to 
the  south  window  before  noon,  and,  as  the  wind  changed  before  night, 
returned  it  to  its  old  place.  Mr.  G.  dug  up  for  us  some  of  the 
^ straw-colored  flowers,  which  must  be  a  variety  of  evening  primrose. 
IQtk.  —  Doctor  went  to  Topeka.  We  moved  the  dressing  bureau 
up  stairs,  which  until  now  has  served  us  for  a  cupboard.  We 
cut  prairie  hay,  and  put  down  carpet  in  front  room.  A  young 
lady,  who  came  to  the  territory  in  the  autumn,  called.  She  has 
enjoyed  life  here  very  much.  Our  new  book-case  was  brought  up  at 
evening.  It  is  of  black  walnut,  of  Kansas  manufacture,  and  very 
pretty.  E.  and  I  spent  the  whole  evening  arranging  books. 

Iltk.  —  We  hung  pictures  and  engravings  on  the  unfinished 
walls,  and  the  parlor  really  begins  to  have  a  pleasant  look.  Doctor 
came  home.  He  says  we  have  something  new  every  time  he  goes 
away,  and  he  proposed  to  stay  altogether,  that  we  may  get  all 
things  in  order.  The  truth  is,  when  he  is  at  home,  the  house  is 
at  all  hours  full  of  company,  and  we  are  busily  employed  in  look 
ing  after  their  physical  wants.  There  is  seldom  a  meal  that 
we  have  only  our  own  family  of  five,  and,  more  often  than  other 
wise,  the  strangers  number  more  than  we. 

l'2tk. — A  most  curious  fish  was  sent  in  from  Topeka  to-day. 
It  has  a  long,  projecting,  sword-shaped  upper  jaw,  and  no  lower 
jaw,  —  the  mouth  being  an  opening  in  the  under  side  of  the  upper 
5 


50  KANSAS. 

one.  After  being  stuffed,  it  will  be  sent  to  Boston.  A  lady 
from  Maine,  who  has  been  located  on  the  hill  west  of  us  for  a 
week  or  two,  calls  to  say  they  have  concluded  to  leave  Kansas. 
Her  husband  is  much  pleased  with  the  country,  but  the  mills  do 
not  supply  all  the  lumber  people  want  just  now,  and  he  thinks  he 
can't  wait.  A  good  deal  of  lumber  has  been  sawed,  but  as  we 
remember  that  the  claims  for  ten  miles  around  Lawrence  are  all 
taken,  and  that  they  depend  upon  the  mill  here  for  lumber,  we 
can  easily  see  that  there  must  be  a  scarcity,  and  that  each  person 
must  be  content  with  little  for  the  time  being. 

13^.  —  I  attended  a  Sabbath  school  to-day,  four  miles  out  on 
the  California  road.  There  were  quite  a  number  of  children  pres 
ent,  with  some  older  persons.  Some  little  English  girls  were  very 
bright  and  interesting.  The  family  at  whose  house  the  school  was 
held  are  from  Ohio.  They  are  such  good  people  that  one  feels 
it  in  their  presence,  and  sincerity  and  unselfishness  are  manifested 
in  their  actions.  They  have  long  been  earnest  workers  in  the 
cause  of  humanity  —  have  "fed  the  hungry,  clothed  the  naked," 
and  given  the  "  cup  of  cold  water  "  to  the  fainting  soul.  I  at 
tempted  to  hear  a  class  of  girls,  whose  ages  varied  from  fourteen 
to  eighteen,  recite.  They  were  all  from  the  West,  and  mostly  from 
Missouri.  Some  of  them  were  bright,  quick  girls,  but  with  one 
or  two  I  puzzled  my  brain  to  know  how  to  ask  questions  simply 
enough  to  be  understood.  They  had  no  ideas  of  their  own  exist 
ence  or  of  God. 

14th.  —  The  thunder  rolls  in  deafening  peals,  reverberating 
across  the  hills,  and  the  lightnings  are  one  continual  flash.  There 
is  not  a  moment  that  the  forked,  angry  lightnings  do  not  dart 
chain-like  in  every  and  all  directions,  making  the  whole  country 
as  light  as  noon-day.  Objects  miles  distant  are  as  clearly  seen 
as  by  the  sun's  light.  The  rains  come  down  a  pouring,  tumultu 
ous  flood,  and  the  winds  blow  wildly,  threatening  to  overturn 
everything  before  them.  The  house  being  so  unfinished,  the 
saddle-boards  not  yet  on  the  roof,  the  staging  still  standing 
around  it,  with  crockery  covering  tables  in  the  dining-room,  and 
no  back  door,  my  presence  was  needed  in  several  places  at  the 
same  moment.  While  attempting  to  move  my  bed  so  the  rains 


KANSAS   HOMES.  51 

would  not  float  it  off,  there  was  a  rattling  of  glass  below  stairs. 
As  I  reached  the  lower  room,  Mr.  W.  emerged  from  the  other 
one,  and  asked,  "Are  you  afraid  the  house  will  blow  over?" 

Upon  my  replying,  "  O,  no,  I  am  not  afraid  of  anything,"  he 
seemed  satisfied,  and  as  quickly  disappeared. 

Concluding,  from  this  present  phase  of  the  matter,  I  need  expect 
no  aid  from  my  "  prime  minister,"  I  went  out  and  took  down  as 
much  of  the  staging  as  I  could  —  those  pieces  which  were  partly 
loose  and  striking  the  house.  The  shower  lasted  for  hours.  Al 
though  I  have  been  among  the  Green  Mountains  when  most  severe 
showers  raged  there,  and  the  reverberating  roar  was  incessant, 
I  never  experienced  anything  equal  in  sublimity  and  grandeur 
to  this. 

\5th.  —  The  night  brought  another  shower  —  if  possible,  more 
severe  than  that  of  last  night.  All  the  evening  the  lightning 
flashed  in  every  direction ;  but  at  midnight  the  thunders  sounded, 
and  the  great  drops  fell.  The  grand  artillery  of  heaven  could 
hardly  be  distinguished  from  the  noise  of  the  furious  blasts  of 
wind  and  fast-flowing  streams,  which  seem  to  scorn  all  old- 
fashioned  showers.  The  shower  came  from  the  west,  and  there 
was  nothing  to  break  its  force  as  it  beat  upon  the  house  in  full 
fury.  There  was  a  crash  below.  Hastily  as  possible  I  descended 
the  stairway  against  the  driving  wind  and  pelting  rain,  which 
came  full  upon  me  the  moment  I  stepped  on  to  the  staircase, 
almost  taking  away  my  breath.  The  door  had  been  hung  the  day 
before ;  but  the  slight  button  which  fastened  it  together  was  like 
a  flaxen  string  before  the  gale,  and  the  door  with  great  force  had 
been  driven  back  against  the  wall.  It  was  impossible  to  remove  so 
much  crockery  and  glass  ware,  which,  on  account  of  the  unfinished 
cupboard,  was  still  standing  round,  to  any  secure  place ;  and  it 
was  but  the  work  of  a  moment  with  me  to  "  haul "  a  trunk  of  the 
largest  size,  filled  with  carpets,  against  the  door  after  closing  it. 
The  next  moment  found  trunk  and  me  in  the  middle  of  the  floor, 
and  door  again  wide  open.  Another  effort  must  be  made ;  and, 
quicker  than  thought,  or  any  calculations  as  to  strength,  the 
trunk  was  replaced,  and  a  large  black-walnut  dining-table  brought 
up  against  it. 


52  KANSAS. 

At  this  juncture  of  affairs,  the  old  gentleman  made  his  appear 
ance  ;  and,  after  some  casual  remarks  upon  the  weather,  by  way 
of  suggestion,  I  spoke  of  adjusting  the  pipe,  as  it  looked  likely  to 
fall.  He  looked  at  it  rather  suspiciously,  though  keeping  at  a 
safe  distance  from  it,  should  some  extra  breath  tottle  it  over,  and, 
without  comment,  made  good  his  retreat.  I  was  amused,  and 
pitied  his  fears ;  then  took  down  the  pipe  that  it  might  occasion 
me  no  more  thought.  The  storm  lasted  several  hours,  as  on  the 
previous  night.  It  was  quite  impossible  to  shade  one's  eyes  from 
the  continual  glare,  and  sleep  came  not  until  the  morning  shadows 
were  breaking. 

IQth.  —  One  expected  this  morning  to  see  some  devastation  — 
some  remnant  or  vestige  of  the  last  night's  work  —  but  earth 
never  put  on  a  more  smiling  face.  There  was  no  evidence  of  the 
lightning's  dread  power,  although  often  in  the  night  there  was  an 
unmistakable  sound  of  its  striking  near.  Instead  of  the  valleys 
being  full  of  water,  and  the  earth  a  perfect  sea,  its  thirsty  pores 
had  drank  in  all,  and  naught  remained  to  tell  of  it  save  the  grass 
bending  under  its  heavy  weight  of  glistening  rain-drops. 

For  ten  long  months  the  drouth  had  been  unprecedented. 
Many  times  a  little  cloud  had  arisen,  awakening  hopes  of  rain ; 
but  the  cloud  had  passed  by.  In  any  other  country  than  this, 
vegetation  would  have  been  entirely  killed,  root  and  branch  dried 
up ;  but,  before  the  rains  came,  even  the  gentle  showers,  the  grass 
was  clothing  the  naked  earth  in  a  mantle  of  greenness,  and  flow 
ers,  fairy-like  in  their  gracefulness,  were  blooming  in  every  shel 
tered  nook.  Now  the  "  windows  of  heaven  were  opened,"  as  in 
old  time.  The  rains  came,  and  the  winds  blew.  Earth  was  glad 
dened  in  her  vegetable  life,  and  in  her  hidden  springs.  From 
many  a  dry  spot,  heretofore,  the  clear  gushing  waters  came. 

Ylth.  —  A  most  glorious  morning.  How  gayly  all  nature  looks ! 
The  woods  over  in  the  Delaware  country  are  clothed  in  every 
shade  of  green,  from  the  most  delicate  to  the  deepest  sea-green, 
while  beautiful  browns  and  blue  are  intermingled.  Until  now  I 
have  never  longed  for  the  artist's  skill  in  conveying  to  canvas 
these  living  pictures  of  beauty  by  the  master's  hand  —  more  beau 
tiful  than  that  of  any  earthly  limner,  inasmuch  as  the  heavenly  is 


KANSAS  HOMES.  53 

above  the  earthly.  Never  until  now  have  I  revelled  in  such  mani 
fold  and  different  shades  of  coloring,  or  felt  so  deeply  my  own 
insignificance  beneath  creative  power.  We  admire,  we  worship, 
we  adore,  when  His  presence  speaks  in  the  loveliness  of  this  Eden. 
We  feel  it  in  the  voice  of  his  thunders  —  in  their  unwritten  mag 
nificence  and  grandeur. 

Take  a  walk  down  to  the  town,  and  call  upon  one  of  our  fellow- 
travellers.  We  find  her  in  a  little  cabin  of  mud  walls,  cotton-wood 
roof,  and  with  cloth  covering  the  inside.  It  is  tent-shaped,  and 
very  small.  There  is  an  earthy  smell  and  a  stifled  feeling  as  I 
enter  the  low  door ;  and,  as  I  at  a  glance  see  the  want  of  comfort 
pervading  all,  I  scarcely  can  find  courage  to  ask  how  she  likes 
Kansas.  A  bed,  standing  crosswise,  fills  up  one  entire  end  of  the 
cabin,  leaving  only  about  eight  feet  square  of  space  for  the  family, 
consisting  of  father,  mother,  and  four  little  girls  under  six  years. 
Two  rough  benches,  about  two  feet  in  length,  and  two  rude  tables, 
make  up  the  furniture.  The  cooking  is  done  out  of  doors,  after 
camp  fashion.  The  children  have  been  very  ill,  and  the  little  one 
now  tosses  restlessly  in  its  fevered  dreams. 

I  talk  cheerfully  of  the  homes  we  hope  to  have  when  a  few 
months  are  passed  —  of  the  comforts,  the  institutions,  which  we  will 
gather  around  us;  but  my  heart  is  sad  for  the  little,  frail,  heart 
broken  looking  woman  and  her  four  little  ones,  and  involuntarily 
my  mind  questions  whether  like  cares  shall  make  their  young 
girlhood  wear  the  look  of  age.  I  can  bear  no  longer  the  oppres 
sion,  the  feeling  that  the  walls  will  come  together,  crushing 
me  like  a  mere  shadow  between  them ;  and,  with  a  promise  to 
come  again,  breathe  most  thankfully  the  unconfined  fresh  air. 

The  mail  is  in,  and,  in  the  office  of  a  friend  near  by  the  post- 
office,  we  wait  for  its  distribution.  Letters  from  home  are  a 
pleasant  reward.  I  met  Mr.  C.,  of  Philadelphia,  who  says 
doctor  has  returned  home  with  a  carriage-load  of  company.  There 
surely  is  no  end  to  the  company.  The  house  now  is  full  in  every 
corner.  I  give  up  my  room  again,  and  make  two  extra  beds  on 
the  floor.  I  am  not  yet  rested  from  my  journey,  and  the  constant 
excitement  since.  Now  there  is  an  ungoverned,  noisy  child,  —  a 
continual  presence,  —  and  no  quiet  place  in  the  house  where  I  can 
5* 


54  KANSAS. 

find  a  safe  retreat.  Several  more  strangers  were  in  in  the  even 
ing.  A  gentleman,  just  arrived  from  Massachusetts,  is  very  ill, 
and  sends  up  for  doctor's  attendance  upon  him.  Doctor  brought 
from  Missouri  a  jar  of  butter  —  the  first  we  have  had  —  and  some 
potatoes. 

\§th.  —  A  large  carriage-load  went  down  to  the  Wakarusa  to 
visit  the  proposed  site  of  a  new  town.  I  enjoyed  the  quiet  occa 
sioned  by»their  absence  beyond  measure,  and  realized  more  fully 
than  ever  the  truth  of  the  injunction : 

"  Be  to  thyself  a  palace, 
Else  the  world  will  be  thy  jail." 

They  returned  late  in  the  evening,  much  pleased  with  the  coun 
try  and  scenery.  Their  adventures,  in  crossing  the  Wakarusa  at 
high  water,  occasioned  more  merriment  in  the  retrospect  than  in 
the  moment  when  the  water  was  coming  into  the  carriage-body 
over  the  top.  They  were  delayed  an  hour  by  the  straying  off  of 
one  of  their  party,  which  came  near  preventing  their  return  that 
night,  as  the  water  was  rising  very  fast. 

20th.  —  All  went  to  church  save  E.  and  I,  and  the  three-year- 
old  boy,  who  intended  to  rule  every  one  around  him.  A  little 
decision  proved  very  salutary  with  him,  and  we  had  a  quiet  morn 
ing.  As  we  were  nearly  through  supper  a  whistle  sounded.  Each 
one  of  us  looked  at  every  other  in  blank  astonishment,  until  some 
one  said,  "  It  is  the  cars."  The  thought  of  a  boat  occurred  to  me, 
and  was  quickly  spoken.  The  table  was  vacated  in  a  trice.  Some 
were  looking  out  of  the  windows  and  doors,  while  others  ran  to 
the  chamber  windows.  A  steamboat  was  really  in  sight,  and  a 
pretty  object  she  was  as  she  floated  gracefully  towards  the  landing, 
now  behind  this  building,  and  now  that,  with  the  tall  old  forest 
for  a  background.  A  friend  brings  in  some  wild  strawberries. 
How  they  bring  back  days  long  ago,  when  we  knew  where  the 
sweetest  grew,  and,  with  merry  school-friends,  travelled  far  for 
them  through  the  dim  woods  down  into  the  meadow ! 

21st.  —  A  bright  May  morning,  clear  and  sunny,  reminding  one 
of  the  beautiful  poem  of  Willis : 


KANSAS  HOMES.  55 

"  The  spring  is  here  —  the  delicate-footed  May  — 
With  its  slight  fingers  full  of  leaves  and  flowers, 

And  with  it  comes  a  thirst  to  be  away, 
Wasting  in  wood-paths  its  voluptuous  hours  ; 

A  feeling  that  is  like  a  sense  of  wings, 

Restless  to  soar  above  its  perishing  things." 

The  heat  in  the  afternoon  was  equal  to  July  weather  at  home, 
and  the  new  jar  of  butter  is  fast  approaching  the  fluid  state.  It 
has  to  be  removed  from  one  place  to  another,  sometimes  in  the 
house,  and  sometimes  on  the  shady  side  out  of  the  house,  to  find 
the  coolest  place.  We  propose  various  ways  for  keeping  it  hard, 
such  as  digging  a  place  in  the  ground  large  enough  for  the  jar ; 
but,  at  the  suggestion  of  one  of  the  Boston  gentlemen,  who  was 
interested  in  the  matter,  we  decided  upon  the  refrigerator  as  by 
far  the  greatest  convenience. 

To-morrow  is  the  day  set  for  the  election  of  representatives  in 
the  contested  districts.  We  hear  the  Missourians  are  coming  to 
take  possession  of  the  polls,  as  before.  A  party  of  horsemen  rode 
in  this  afternoon  over  College  Hill,  west  of  us,  and  at  first  we 
thought  the  report  of  Missourians  coming  might  be  true.  The 
gay  blankets,  bare  heads,  and  shining  ornaments,  soon  showed 
them  to  be  a  party  of  Kaw  Indians.  Mr.  Simpson  was  assaulted 
to-day  by  a  bitter  pro-slavery  man. 

22d.  —  Election  day,  and  all  was  quiet.  Only  eleven  pro- 
slavery  votes  polled  in  this  district.  A  very  pleasant  lady  from 
New  York  is  spending  the  day.  A  young  gentleman,  one  of  our 
Kansas  party,  called.  He  has  a  claim  on  the  Wakarusa,  with 
which  he  is  much  pleased.  Some  families  of  his  acquaintance, 
also  of  our  party,  are  equally  pleased.  More  gentlemen  to  tea. 
We  boil  ham  for  doctor,  who  will  leave  with  three  gentlemen  on 
a  pleasure  trip,  or  exploring  tour,  into  the  country. 

23^.  —  Doctor  left  with  his  party  on  their  prospecting  journey 
this  morning.  It  is  quite  an  undertaking  to  get  started  on  such 
an  expedition,  as  they  are  obliged  to  take  a  good  stock  of  provis 
ions  and  cooking  utensils,  so  that  if  their  route  takes  them  far 
from  any  settlers  they  will  not  be  reduced  to  starvation.  For 
such  trips,  usually,  we  pack  a  ham,  dried  meat,  hard  bread,  sugar, 


56  KANSAS. 

a  bottle  of  syrup,  cheese,  a  small  box  with  knives,  forks  and 
spoons,  and  little  papers  of  pepper  and  salt.  Tin  cup  for  drink 
ing,  with  canteens,  are  also  indispensable.  Blankets  and  comfort 
ables  for  camping  ought  not  to  be  forgotten ;  also  provisions  for 
the  horses. 

Our  cupboard  was  completed  to-day,  and  we  have  cleared  all  the 
tables  of  crockery.  Our  house  gives  promise  now  of  being  in 
reality  a  house  at  no  distant  day. 

24:th.  —  The  timbers  are  drawn  for  the  kitchen.  We  are  to 
have  another  room  sixteen  feet  by  twelve,  and  with  doors  opening 
directly  opposite  each  other.  It  will  be  delightful  and  cool.  A 
large  chest,  which  we  have  used  for  a  cupboard  since  the  removal 
of  the  bureau,  is  moved  up  the  stairway,  and  finds  a  place  just 
fitting  it  near  the  head.  We  find  behind  it  a  missing  pie,  whose 
sudden  disappearance  had  been  a  mystery,  and  awakened  some 
fears  of  the  too  neighborly  inclinations  of  prairie  wolves,  or  the 
nightly  visitation  of  some  hungry  traveller ;  our  open  doors  and 
unfastened  windows  furnishing  no  safeguard  against  any  who 
choose  to  enter. 

The  roads  for  many  days  have  been  full  of  wagons  —  white- 
covered,  emigrant  wagons.  We  cannot  look  out  of  the  windows 
without  seeing  a  number,  either  upon  the  road  through  the  prairie 
east  of  us,  which  comes  in  from  Kansas  city,  where  most  emi 
grants  leave  the  boats  and  buy  wagons  and  provisions  for  the 
journey,  or,  going  on  the  hill  west,  on  their  way  to  Topeka,  or 
other  settlements  above. 

The  prairie,  too,  is  alive  with  people,  coming  and  going.  Some 
are  upon  horseback,  and  others  in  carriages  of  eastern  manufac 
ture;  while  the  busy  teams,  carrying  stone  for  the  hotel  and 
other  large  buildings,  give  to  the  whole  town  an  appearance  of 
unprecedented  thrift  which  renders  the  name  of  Yankee  Town, 
bestowed  upon  it  by  the  border  friends,  richly  merited.  At  night 
we  see  the  camp-fires  all  about  us,  on  the  prairies  and  in  the 
ravines.  The  appearance  of  the  men,  preparing  their  evening 
meal,  is  singularly  grotesque  and  gypsy-like. 

2Qth.  —  Some  young  ladies  called  at  the  house  early  this  morn 
ing.  They  were  just  in  the  territory  from  Ohio,  and  came  up 


KANSAS   HOMES.  57 

from  town  to  admire  the  prospect  from  Mount  Oread.  We  have 
similar  calls  almost  daily,  while  frequently  for  hours  there  are 
persons  sitting  upon  the  brow  of  the  hill  beyond  us.  A  few  days 
since  a  rather  young-looking  man  called.  He  was  a  clergyman, 
and  had  buried  his  wife  not  long  before.  He  had  come  to  Kansas 
with  his  children,  the  eldest  of  whom,  a  little  girl  of  not  more 
than  ten  summers,  was  his  housekeeper.  I  have  never  heard  of 
them  since. 

We  spend  the  day  with  a  friend,  two  miles  in  the  country, 
who  sends  a  carriage  for  us.  The  hills  on  our  way  look  like  one 
vast  garden.  Elegant  bunches  of  foxglove  stand  by  the  wayside, 
lifting  most  proudly  their  tall  spikes  of  purple,  lilac  and  white 
flowers,  from  a  beautiful  base  of  dark  lustrous  green  leaves ;  straw 
color,  orange,  and  every  variety  of  shade  of  pinks,  from  white  to 
deepest  red,  add  their  blended  beauty.  Our  road,  after  leaving 
the  great  California  road,  than  which  there  was  never  a  finer  one, 
is  uneven,  and  we  pass  several  abrupt  ravines.  We  see  the 
house,  or,  more  properly,  the  flume,  a  long  time  before  reaching 
it,  and  are  constantly  expecting  to  be  at  the  door ;  but  we  have 
to  learn,  what  every  one  else  does  in  these  prairies,  that  eyes  un 
accustomed  cannot  judge  correctly  of  distances. 

We  found  the  lady  much  excited,  and  glad  of  our  arrival,  as 
she  had  had  some  very  unwelcome  visitors  in  the  absence  of  her 
husband.  Being  also  half  a  mile  from  the  nearest  neighbor,  ren 
dered  it  yet  more  unpleasant.  A  large  party  of  Kaw  Indians 
had  passed  the  house,  while  three  of  the  stragglers  made  a  call. 
They  examined  daguerreotypes  and  jewelry  lying  on  the  book-case, 
and  by  signs  manifested  their  desire  for  them.  The  lady  remained 
firm  in  her  refusal,  and  they  relinquished  the  idea  of  appropriat 
ing  them.  They  soon  made  signs  for  something  to  eat,  and,  after 
being  most  abundantly  supplied  with  meat  and  bread,  one  of  them, 
the  most  repulsive  of  all,  made  a  circle  on  the  floor,  and  signs  of 
cutting  it,  then  pointing  to  his  mouth  to  represent  his  desire 
that  a  pie  should  be  set  before  them.  To  comply  with  such  re 
quest  being  considered  unnecessary,  it  was  refused ;  whereupon 
the  young  Indian  pulled  away  a  cloth,  at  one  end  of  the  room, 
concealing  some  shelves,  and,  with  boisterous  exclamations  of 


58  KANSAS. 

delight,  brought  out  some  pies.  Seating  themselves  around  them, 
they  were  also  soon  devoured.  When  we  arrived  the  visitors  had 
scarcely  left. 

The  house,  which,  when  finished,  will  contain  two  rooms  on  the 
lower  floor,  with  an  equal  number  upon  the  upper,  is  now  only 
boarded  upon  one  end,  and  partially  upon  the  sides,  enclosing  one 
room,  while  the  partition,  which  will  be  between  the  rooms  when 
the  whole  outside  is  finished,  but  is  now  the  only  protection  on 
the  north,  is  partly  of  wood  and  partly  of  cloth ;  the  roof,  also, 
is  shingled  over  the  south  part.  The  cooking  utensils  and  stove 
are  out  of  doors. 

In  such  houses  as  these,  exposed  to  all  the  vicissitudes  of  climate 
and  weather,  and  all  the  discomforts  of  such  a  life,  there  is  many 
a  person  fresh  from  all  the  elegancies,  the  refinements  clustering 
about  a  home  in  our  eastern  cities.  The  most  I  have  met  bear 
these  hardships  cheerfully,  and  hopefully  looking  to  the  hour 
when  Kansas  shall  come  into  the  glorious  sisterhood  of  states, 
herself  untrammeled  by  the  dark  rule  of  slavery.  These  priva 
tions  seem  naught  in  the  anticipation  of  such  an  hour.  This  spot 
is  a  most  delightful  location  for  a  house.  The  bluffs,  in  a  semi 
circular  form,  partially  enclose  a  lovely  prairie  of  quarter  of  a  mile 
in  width  between  them.  The  house  stands  near  the  centre,  be 
tween  the  northern  and  southern  ridge,  while  the  bluff  rises  on  the 
west  very  near  the  house.  A  lovely  prairie  stretches  away  nearly 
two  miles  eastward,  with  wood-skirted  ravines,  and  Lawrence 
rising  on  an  eminence  beyond.  Means  alone  are  needed  to  make 
the  grounds  as  beautiful  as  any  one  could  desire ;  and  our  friends 
who  have  chosen  the  spot  for  a  Kansas  home  are  revelling  in 
golden  anticipations  for  the  future. 

We  ride  home  as  the  sun  is  setting  behind  massive  clouds  in 
orange  and  violet,  in  fantastic  shapes,  resembling  Chinese  pagodas 
and  temples.  The  mutterings  of  the  thunder,  when  we  are  a  little 
distance  from  home,  warn  us  of  the  near  approach  of  another 
shower,  and  by  dint  of  much  persuasion  our  friends  remain  with  us 
during  the  night. 

27 th.  —  A  pleasant  morning.  The  face  of  the  earth  looks 
bright  after  such  a  drenching.  We  laugh  at  my  night  adventure, 


KANSAS   HOMES.  59 

I  gave  up  my  own  room  to  my  friends,  and,  hastily  taking  some 
buffalo  robes  from  the  wood-pile,  made  a  bed  of  them,  and  of 
comforters  upon  the  floor  in  E.'s  room.  Having  been  a  little 
time  asleep  was  awakened  by  a  quick  stinging  pain  in  my  hand, 
and  the  consequent  thought  of  a  rattlesnake.  The  dampness 
about  the  windows  had  ruined  the  matches  which  lay  near,  and  I 
could  strike  no  light  from  any  of  them.  To  aid  me,  however,  it 
still  occasionally  lightened  faintly,  and  I  felt  secure  in  walking 
over  as  much  of  the  floor  as  would  be  revealed  in  the  light ;  and 
slowly,  every  inch  of  the  staircase  being  thus  scrutinized  that  I 
might  not  step  on  any  snake,  if  snake  it  was,  I  reached  the  dining- 
room  and  struck  a  light.  Then  I  carefully  shook  every  article 
composing  my  bed,  hunted  behind  trunks  and  in  every  corner, 
and  found  nothing,  though  the  pain  in  my  hand  continued  the 
same.  Just  as  I  was  preparing  to  blow  out  my  light  again,  one 
of  the  girls,  looking  over  the  foot  of  the  bedstead,  says,  "  What  are 
you  doing?"  and  was  much  amused  at  my  reply,  "I  am  hunt 
ing  rattlesnakes !  " 

The  pain  in  my  hand  was  probably  the  effect  of  imagination,  as 
we  had  been  speaking  of  rattlesnakes  the  day  before  —  of  several 
houses  where  they  had  been  found  coiled  up  among  the  logs,  and 
of  one  which  very  unceremoniously  had  crawled  in  between  two 
persons  occupying  a  bed  in  a  tent. 

We  went  to  the  Sabbath  school  in  the  country  with  Mr.  S.  Near 
the  close  of  the  exercises  the  young  man,  H.,  who  made  the  brutal  at 
tack  upon  Mr.  S.,  a  few  days  before,  came  in  with  four  or  five  young 
men.  If  their  faces  were  any  index  to  their  character,  they  were 
fitting  companions  for  him.  They  seated  themselves  quietly,  and 
offered  no  violence.  If  they  came  with  such  intentions,  the  circum 
stances,  or  it  is  not  impossible  that  the  good  in  them  for  the  time 
outweighed  the  evil,  brutal  nature,  and  prevented  their  execution. 

Towards  evening  we  heard  that  Mr.  Nute,  the  clergyman  sent 
out  by  the  Unitarian  Association,  would  preach  upon  Capitol  Hill, 
and  we  saw  the  people  already  gathering.  The  scene  was  im 
pressive.  The  preacher  stood  while  the  audience  sat  upon  rough 
seats  and  stones  upon  the  summit  of  the  hill.  Earth  had  never 
spread  out  a  fairer  picture  than  this  lying  before  us.  At  one 


60  KANSAS. 

glance  the  eye  rested  upon  river,  forest,  mountain  and  prairie, 
miles  and  miles  distant  as  well  as  near,  and  the  last  rays  of  the 
setting  sun  shed  a  halo  of  glory  over  all.  The  novel  circumstances 
under  which  we  met  were  touched  upon;  our  leaving  the  old 
homes  among  the  eastern  hills  to  find  a  new  one  in  the  "  waiting 
West,"  and  the  hope  which  actuates  one  and  all  of  seeing  the 
same  institutions  flourish  here,  which  make  life  desirable  there.  The 
protecting  care  and  guidance  of  the  same  kind  Parent  are  still  over 
and  around  us.  He  provides  for  us  this  beautiful  temple,  "  not 
made  with  hands,"  in  which  to  worship  him  ;  and  if  from  our  work 
here  he  calls  us  home,  he  offers  heaven  with  its  "  eternal  man 
sions." 

Mr.  N.  was  for  some  years  the  pastor  of  a  dearly  loved  friend 
of  mine,  of  whom  she  often  spoke,  and  in  this  way  he  seems  to 
me  like  an  old  friend.  We  are  glad  he  has  come  among  us 
with  his  genial  sympathies,  his  heart  warmth,  his  earnest  ways, 
his  outspoken  words  for  truth,  and  his  abiding  love  for  free 
dom  and  the  right.  We  need  such  manliness  among  us,  in  this 
new,  unsettled  state  of  things ;  such  men,  with  unwearying  confi 
dence  in  God,  and  the  humanity  of  men ;  with  whom  the  love  for 
a  distressed  brother  is  more  than  one's  faith  in  creeds,  and  whose 
faith  is  strong  that  in  doing  good  to  one's  fellow  we  show  our 
love  to  Grod.  That  men  are  born  of  the  times  is  an  old  adage. 
That  men,  needed  for  the  times,  may  arise  ready  for  the  work  in 
Kansas,  ministers  as  well  as  laymen,  men  of  nerve,  of  principle, 
"  wise  as  serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves,"  is  our  continual  hope. 
Most  propitious,  as  well  as  most  disastrous,  in  its  influences  upon 
this  territory,  will  be  the  effect  of  the  institutions  now  planted 
here. 

30th.  —  More  rain  has  fallen  to-day,  though  the  clouds  cleared 
away  at  noon.  There  has  been  no  day  yet,  since  we  came,  that 
the  sun  has  not  shone.  The  Sabbath  school  children  from  three 
schools  are  to  have  a  celebration  on  the  morrow. 

Death  has  again  come  into  our  little  settlement,  and  taken  one 
of  its  most  loved,  most  useful  members.  Since  my  coming,  the 
prattling  infant,  like  the  dying  away  of  the  summer  wind,  has 
faded  and  fallen.  The  bride  of  a  year,  with  her  young  hopes  still 


KANSAS   HOMES.  61 

fresh,  still  gayly  looking  into  the  future  —  earth's  future  —  has 
passed  beyond  the  unseen  veil,  and  the  prairie  grass  waves  over 
her.  Ties  of  children,  the  unutterable  love  of  a  mother  who  would 
leave  them  orphans  indeed,  could  not  bribe  the  death-angel,  and 
she  too  has  entered  the  shadowy  land.  But  now,  the  strong  man, 
with  the  harness  of  duty  on,  has  fallen  at  his  post.  Yesterday  he 
was  well  as  usual,  and  to-day  he  is  not.  It  comes  so  suddenly 
upon  us,  we  cannot  realize  that  Dr.  Clark  is  dead. 

Hard  as  it  ever  is  to  realize  that  death  is  more  than  a  brief 
parting,  that  our  friends  will  not  return,  until  time  and  their 
long  absence  force  the  sad  truth  upon  us,  doubly  so  is  it  in  this 
case,  where  but  yesterday  his  patients  shared  his  care.  How  sadly 
will  this  intelligence  fall  upon  the  ear  of  his  brother,  now  absent 
on  a  tour  in  the  territory  !  With  the  stricken  friends  of  his  Mas 
sachusetts  home  we  can  almost  feel  the  shrinking  heart,  the  over 
powering  oppression,  the  utter  desolation  of  earth,  as  the  missive 
bears  to  them  the  mournful  intelligence.  Earth  has  its  thorny 
ways,  and  hedged  about  with  sorrows.  Among  the  saddest  of 
them  is  for  friends  we  loved  so  well  to  die  in  a  far-off  home,  and 
we  be  not  there. 

No  one  more  than  Dr.  C.  had  the  esteem,  the  love  of  the  people, 
and  their  grief  is  heartfelt  and  sincere. 

There  has  been  much  sickness  on  the  Wakarusa,  and  for  many 
days  the  doctor  had  taken  no  rest.  Last  evening,  at  tea-time,  he 
said  he  felt  better  than  usual.  He  was  soon  after  taken  with  the 
disease,  which,  owing  to  the  exhausted  state  of  his  system,  quickly 
ended  in  death.  The  procession  is  now  winding  over  the  hill  to 
the  place  of  graves. 
6 


CHAPTER    VI. 

ILLS   OF   PIONEER  LIFE. 

June  ls£.— The  weather  is  as  cold  as  that  of  an  October  morning 
in  New  England.  The  stove  having  been  removed  into  the  kitchen, 
as  soon  as  the  roof  was  on,  we  ate  our  breakfasts  in  a  cold  dining- 
room,  with  large  shawls  and  cloaks  drawn  around  us.  The  wind 
was  rising,  and,  as  we  attempted  to  accomplish  necessary  work  by 
the  stove,  we  found  it  almost  impossible  to  keep  any  heat  in  it. 
We  attempted  to  nail  up  buffalo-robes  to  break  the  wind,  but  they 
came  down  as  fast  as  we  could  put  them  up.  Some  gentlemen,  on 
the  hill  beyond  us,  new  comers,  looking  upon  the  beauty  of  the 
country,  seeing  our  efforts,  came  to  our  assistance ;  but  their 
labors  in  curbing  the  wind  were  as  futile  as  ours,  and  we  only 
had  the  exercise  and  sport  of  seeing  our  plans  fail.  We  were 
kept  awake  a  long  time,  last  night,  by  the  barking  of  the  wolves. 
They  make  a  shrill,  quick  bark,  and,  when  a  number  are  together, 
the  sound  is  deafening.  They  are  harmless,  however,  always  run 
ning  from  man.  The  most  trouble  they  give  us  is  in  eating  off 
the  ropes  with  which  we  picquet  out  the  horses  at  night.  They 
eat  them  so  smoothly  as  to  look  like  being  cut  with  a  knife,  and 
what  we  have  occasionally  thought  must  be  charged  upon  emi 
grants  camping  in  the  valley,  in  want  of  a  rope,  we  find  is  wholly 
owing  to  the  sharp  teeth  of  the  cayotes.  Doctor  returned  yester 
day  from  his  tour  west.  Dr.  P.  heard  of  the  death  of  his  brother- 
in-law  a  few  miles  from  here. 

2d.  —  The  first  communion  Sabbath  since  I  have  been  here. 
As  the  table  is  spread,  and  the  few  members  gather  around,  the 
promise  of  the  Saviour,  "  where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together 
in  my  name,  there  will  I  be  in  the  midst  of  them,"  seems  pecu- 


ILLS   OF   PIONEER   LIFE.  63 

i 

liarly  significant  and  impressive.  He  knoweth  those  who  seek  to 
follow  him,  and  with  his  strength  will  aid  their  weakness.  We 
hide  the  promise  in  our  hearts,  with  new  lessons  of  humility,  and 
go  out  from  the  "  upper  chambers,"  striving  to  learn  aright  the 
meek,  suffering  patience  of  Jesus,  which  will  fit  us  to  be  his  co- 
workers  here.  The  gem  of  patience  is  among  the  greatest  of  the 
Christian  virtues,  and  blessed  is  he  who  wears  the  jewel  in  his 
heart. 

Zd.  —  Doctor  has  gone  to  a  funeral  some  miles  away.  If  he 
does  not  go  himself,  on  all  such  occasions,  his  carriage  does.  The 
person  now  dead  clung  to  her  jewels.  She  wore  bracelets,  rings, 
etc.,  until  her  last  breath.  Life  to  her  must  have  consisted  in 
externals ;  and  a  weary  home  Kansas  must  have  been,  with  its 
cotton-wood,  "  shake "  cabins,  bare  floors,  and  general  dis 
comfort. 

There  has  been  a  good  deal  of  cholera  a  few  miles  from  here, 
mostly  among  Missourians.  They  lived  in  most  abject  filth,  and 
drank  of  the  stagnant  water  in  the  bed  of  the  Wakarusa,  when 
the  water  was  at  the  lowest,  from  ten  months'  drouth.  One  in 
stance  of  sickness  seems  almost  incredible  among  civilized  people, 
but  there  is  no  doubt  of  its  correctness.  The  father  and  mother 
were  ill  —  very  ill.  The  cabin  was  very  small,  untidy,  and  would 
of  itself  almost  breed  disease.  Dr.  C.  proposed  that  the  children, 
who  were  adults,  should  occupy  a  tent  near  by,  for  their  own 
safety,  and  yet  attend  upon  the  sick.  The  next  morning,  what 
a  sight  met  the  kind  physician's  eyes,  as  he  entered  the  cabin  ! 
One  of  the  parents  was  lying  on  the  bed,  dead ;  the  other  was 
still  living,  though  with  little  breath  left.  A  little  water  was 
standing  by  the  bed ;  and  no  one  had  been  in  but  once  since  the 
time  of  the  doctor's  leaving  the  day  before.  Thus  forsaken  of 
their  children,  they  died.  Such  heartlessness,  such  barbarity,  we 
can  scarcely  believe  would  exist  among  any  people. 

6th.  —  With  a  friend,  who  has  been  several  days  with  me,  I 
visited  one  of  the  early  pioneers.  She  lived  three  months  in  a 
cloth  tent,  and  now  resides  in  a  log  house,  which  she  renders  pleas 
ant,  by  her  tact  hiding  every  rudeness.  She  talked  gayly  of  their 


64  KANSAS. 

tent  life,  and  we  learned  much  of  the  roughness  of  pioneer  life  at 
the  outset. 

We  staid  so  long,  that  E.  was  fearful  we  were  lost  on  the 
prairie,  and  was  just  about  setting  lights  in  the  windows  for  our 
guidance,  as  we  reached  home.  Getting  lost  on  the  prairie  in  the 
darkness  is  an  easy  matter ;  and  it  has  happened  here,  several 
times,  that  persons  have  wandered  around  nearly  all  night,  trying 
to  find  the  town,  when  at  no  time  they  were  more  than  half  a  mile 
from  it. 

*lth.  —  Mr.  H.  was  very  ill  with  an  attack  of  pleurisy.  Doctor 
being  absent,  I  felt  anxious,  yet  did  the  best  I  could.  A  mustard 
plaster  and  some  simples  removed  the  difficulty  of  breathing,  and 
he  slept  quietly.  He  said  he  never  was  as  sick  before,  but  I  was 
thinking  he  imagined  himself  sicker  than  he  was.  Just  before 
night,  and  as  I  was  wondering  where  E.  could  be,  she  came  in, 
pale  and  almost  breathless,  with  just  enough  left  of  life  to  say, 
"  O,  that  rattlesnake  !  "  I  laughed  at  her  at  first ;  but  being 
convinced  that  seeing  a  snake  of  some  kind  was  a  reality  to  her, 
and  not  quite  liking  the  idea  of  their  making  a  home  in  our  neigh 
borhood,  we  started  out  with  shovel  and  hatchet  for  a  battle.  The 
spot  where  she  saw  him  was  very  easily  found,  as  the  pail  she  had 
in  her  hand,  while  coming  up  the  path  from  the  spring,  she  set 
down  when  she  came  upon  him.  She  had  heard  a  buzzing  noise, 
like  that  made  by  a  large  grasshopper,  for  some  minutes  ;  but  her 
attention  was  attracted  by  a  small  bird  flying  backward  and  for 
ward  across  the  path,  and  no  great  height  above  it,  and  did  not, 
therefore,  perceive  the  snake  until  she  was  within  a  foot  of  him. 
Hastily  setting  down  the  pail,  as  he  lay  there  coiled  ready  to 
spring,  she  took  another  path  to  the  house.  We  looked  along 
both  paths,  -above  and  below,  and  far  out  on  the  hill-side,  but 
found  nothing.  His  fright  was  undoubtedly  equal  to  E.'s,  not 
being  particularly  partial  to  the  cold  bath  she  gave  him  in  setting 
down  her  pail  so  hastily. 

9tk.  —  Leave  home  early  to  spend  the  day  with  a  sick  friend ; 
find  her  quite  ill,  lying  on  a  straw  pallet  on  the  floor.  One 
small  window  and  door,  at  the  other  end  of  the  room,  afforded  all 
the  air  there  was ;  and  about  everything  there  was  a  general  look 


ILLS   OF   PIONEER   LIFE.  65 

of  discomfort.  ^Many  a  person  in  health  has  bravely  battled  with 
the  ills  and  privations  of  Kansas  life  ;  but  when  the  pulse  throbs 
with  fevered  heat,  and  disease  is  making  a  wreck  of  one's  self  and 
every  energy,  the  mind  turns  sadly  backward  to  the  pleasant 
home,  and  yearns  for  the  kind  friends  there  with  an  irresistible 
longing.  With  baking  for  the  family  in  the  sun's  glaring  rays, 
and  taking  care  of  the  invalid,  I  was  weary,  and  thankful  for  our 
own  home-roof,  which  has  more  of  comfort. 

~LOth.  —  Was  awakened  by  a  little  tree-toad  on  my  pillow  this 
morning.  He  must  have  climbed  up  the  low  roof  of  the  ell  part, 
and  in  at  the  window.  I  found  a  mouse  in  the  tub,  and  a  swallow 
came  into  the  kitchen  napping  his  wings  wildly,  and  seeming  much 
frightened,  as  we  were  at  breakfast.  I  am  wondering  if  all  the 
"  four-footed  beasts  and  creeping  things  "  have  appointed  a  place 
of  rendezvous  upon  our  premises ;  and  suggest,  laughingly,  that 
"  the  rattlesnakes  will  come  next."  Scarcely  had  we  finished 
breakfast,  before  the  cry  from  near  the  wood-pile  was,  "  Here  's  a 
snake  !  "  It  measured  about  eighteen  inches  in  length,  was  ugly- 
looking,  and  had  four  rattles. 

The  people  are  talking  much  of  what  shall  be  done  in  view  of 
the  oppression  forced  upon  us.  Men  armed  with  guns,  revolvers, 
and  bowie-knives,  from  another  state,  have  carried  the  elections, 
driving  the  actual  settlers  from  the  polls  with  threats  of  certain 
death.  A  memorial,  stating  these  facts,  has  been  sent  on  to  Con 
gress  ;  but  no  relief  comes  —  no  promise  of  any.  This  Legislature 
soon  proposes  to  hold  its  session,  and  enact  laws  for  the  people  of 
this  territory.  They,  many  of  them  residents  of  Missouri,  and  all 
of  them  elected  by  Missouri  votes,  ignorant  and  brutal  men, 
having  gained  their  election  at  the  point  of  the  bowie-knife,  intend 
to  enact  laws  to  govern  an  enlightened  and  intelligent  people.  The 
question  is,  shall  the  laws,  whatever  they  may  be,  be  boldly  repu 
diated  as  no  laws  for  us,  the  makers  being  not  of  us;  or  shall  the 
matter  be  delayed  until  the  so-called  Legislature  meets  ?  A  few 
days  will  decide^  the  course  to  be  pursued  by  our  people  ;  and 
whatever  is  done  will  be  done  thoughtfully,  and  with  a  view  to 
the  greatest  and  most  permanent  good  of  the  country. 

~L2th.  —  It  rained  gently  all  the  morning.  In  the  afternoon 
6* 


66  KANSAS. 

the  clouds  cleared  away,  and  we  took  a  pleasant  tramp  over  the 
hills.  We  met  a  party  of  Indians.  Scarcely  a  day  passes  that 
motley  groups  of  Dela wares  are  not  in  our  streets.  Instead  of 
going  to  Missouri  for  their  groceries  and  clothing,  as  formerly, 
they  come  to  Lawrence.  They  are  very  friendly,  and  look  upon 
the  rapid  growth  of  the  little  town  near  them  with  as  much  appa 
rent  surprise  as  we  would  upon  actual  creations  like  the  brain- 
pictures  in  fairy  tales. 

Large  stone  buildings,  which  would  be  an  ornament  to  any 
place,  are  fast  being  erected,  while  buildings  of  humble  preten 
sions,  of  wood  and  stone,  are  springing  up  with  a  rapidity  almost 
equalling  the  wonderful  genius  of  Aladdin.  We  can  count  al 
ready  fifty  dwellings  erected  since  we  came ;  and  the  little  city 
of  less  than  a  year's  existence  will,  in  intelligence,  refinement,  and 
moral  worth,  compare  most  favorably  with  many  New  England 
towns  of  six  times  its  number  of  inhabitants. 

Many  people  were  in,  in  the  evening.  The  wind  was  blowing, 
and  I  heard  a  rustling  near  me.  I  looked,  but  saw  nothing.  An 
hour  later,  as  I  relinquished  my  seat,  and  went  to  make  arrange 
ments  for  extra  beds,  a  gentleman  very  positively  said,  "  I  hear 
a  rattlesnake."  Near  where  I  had  been  sitting,  the  yellow-spotted 
reptile  had  crawled  in  between  the  last  floor-board  and  the  siding, 
and  already  his  head  had  reached  the  window-casing.  We  had 
serious  objections  to  his  further  progress  towards  the  chambers, 
or  to  his  greater  length  of  days.  After  a  moment's  more  enven 
omed  rattling,  all  was  still.  Like  the  other,  he  had  four  rattles, 
and  was  undoubtedly  looking  for  his  lost  mate.  One  of  the 
gentlemen,  Judge  Conway,  to  whom  the  front  room  had  been  ap 
propriated  as  a  sleeping  apartment,  the  mattresses  being  removed 
each  morning,  felt  nervous  about  such  companions  for  bed-fellows, 
and,  to  be  prepared  against  the  possible  contingency  of  another 
similar  visit,  turned  his  boot-tops  into  one  another  upon  retiring. 

Vdth.  —  We  heard  at  midnight  the  rapid  approach  of  a  horse 
man,  and  soon  the  loud  halloa,  with  a  western  brogue,  sounded  at 
the  door.  A  friend  was  very  ill  with  cholera,  and  "  the  doctor 
must  go  immediately  over."  He  hunted  up  his  horse  on  the  hill 
side,  and  went,  first  sending  to  another  physician  down  street  to 


ILLS   OF   PIONEER  LIFE.  67 

be  there  as  quickly  as  possible,  as  he  had  no  medicine.  Friends 
in  the  East  know  nothing  of  the  evils  which  lie  around  the  path 
of  the  new  settler  when  sickness  comes.  Surrounded  by  the  aids 
which  science  has  brought  to  bear  against  disease,  and  by  all  the 
blessings  of  a  thickly  settled  community,  they  cannot  realize  how 
death  stares  one  in  the  face  often  in  these  isolated  spots,  when  the 
case  is  urgent,  and  help  far  away. 

In  this  instance  the  husband  had  left  home,  early  in  the  evening, 
to  attend  a  meeting  in  Lawrence,  some  two  miles  distant,  leaving 
with  his  wife,  who  was  but  just  recovering  from  illness,  a  young 
friend.  Over-exertion  during  the  day  had  somewhat  prostrated 
her,  and  now  cramps  and  the  most  urgent  symptoms  of  cholera 
came  upon  her  with  fearful  severity.  What  could  be  done? 
They  were  a  full  half-mile  from  any  neighbor.  It  was  night,  and 
there  was  no  one  to  send  for  help.  Every  remedy  which  the 
house  afforded  was  tried,  with  poor  success,  the  patient  losing 
courage  with  her  loss  of  strength.  At  ten  o'clock  her  husband 
returned,  and,  seeing  at  a  glance  the  need  of  instant  relief,  started 
for  a  neighbor,  who  went  for  a  physician. 

Vlth.  —  The  doctor  brought  up  a  nice  side-saddle  from  town, 
and,  upon  my  asking  whose  it  was,  he  replied,  "It  is  a  present 
for  Mrs.  R."  To  my  question,  "  From  whom?  "  he  said,  "  From 
him  who  gets  her  the  most  of  her  things." 

"  Old  Gray  "  was  soon  saddled,  and  I  was  on  his  back  to  find 
my  way  over  the  prairies  to  spend  another  day  with  sickness. 
Towards  evening,  as  the  horse  was  saddled,  and  I  was  ready  to 
return  home,  we  noticed  some  threatening  clouds,  and  a  shower 
just  upon  us.  As  it  promised  to  be  but  slight,  and  of  short  dura 
tion,  I  concluded  to  remain  until  it  had  passed,  in  preference  to  a 
drenching,  and  two  miles'  ride  in  it.  The  shower  once  commenced, 
there  seemed  no  end  to  it ;  and,  when  an  hour  had  passed  away, 
the  wind  was  still  blowing  in  unabated  fury,  the  rain  falling  in 
"  rivers  of  waters,"  while  there  was  one  incessant  peal  and  crash 
of  thunders,  and  the  whole  heavens  a  perfect  blaze  of  dazzling 
light.  I  abandoned  all  hope  of  seeing  home  that  night ;  and  the 
question  now  was,  how  could  we  avoid  being  wet  by  the  rain, 
which  came  boisterously  in  from  the  north  ?  For  a  while  1  sat 


68  KANSAS. 

and  read,  in  the  corner  most  removed  from  the  exposed  side ;  but 
the  wind  suddenly  shifted,  and  by  agility  alone  I  escaped  the 
deluge  pouring  in  from  the  east.  No  place  was  now  secure  but 
the  little  corner  where  the  straw  pallet  lay,  with  the  sick  lady, 
weak  arid  nervous,  tossing  restlessly,  and  wishing  the  heavy 
shower  would  cease.  To  avoid  cold  and  sickness,  wrapping  myself 
in  blankets,  I  lay  down  upon  the  bed,  which  we  supposed  the  rain 
would  not  reach.  In  all  previous  showers  this  had  been  the  dry 
corner ;  but  the  rains  were  searching.  Soon,  buffalo  robe  upon 
the  bed,  and  umbrella  spread  over  our  heads,  so  arranged  that 
the  water  should  run  off  on  to  the  floor,  was  our  only  protection. 
Yet  we  slept  at  last,  wearied  out  by  the  furious  raging  of  the 
elements,  and  hearing,  as  the  last  thing,  the  pattering  rain-drops 
upon  the  umbrella. 

~L$th.  — The  morning  sun  never  shone  more  brightly  than  now. 
We  found  everything  in  the  house  damp,  but.  had  taken  no  cold. 
The  cholera  patient  was  doing  well.  The  gentleman  of  the  house 
assured  me  he  slept  well,  but  it  was  a  mystery  to  me  where  he 
found  a  dry  nook.  Had  a  fine  ride  home  in  the  early  morning 
light,  which  gives  to  every  object  a  double  value.  "  Old  Gray  " 
nibbled  at  the  "  compass  plant,"  which  always  points  northward 
in  these  prairies,  occasionally  cropping  its  bright  yellow  flowers 
with  a  satisfied  air  as  he  trotted  along.  The  rattlesnake  weed 
was  also  blooming  in  profusion.  Nature  is  ever  mindful  of  the 
needs  of  her  children,  and  provides  an  antidote  against  the  bane 
of  rattlesnakes,  and  a  sure  guide  over  the  wide  prairie  in  the 
compass  plant.  When  I  reached  home,  found  the  doctor  gone  to 
attend  upon  a  broken  limb.  A  man,  in  rafting  logs  down  the 
river,  had  met  with  this  misfortune.  The  doctor  has  many  calls 
professionally,  and,  though  he  assures  them  all  that  he  is  not  now 
a  practising  physician,  he  looks  in  upon  many  to  advise  them. 

19M.  —  It  was  just  eleven  and  a  half  by  the  clock  when  a 
carriage-load  drove  up  from  Kansas  city.  We  completed  our 
work  at  four,  p.  M.  We  had  more  company  over  night.  We  had 
arranged  a  cot  bed  to  sleep  on  for  the  night  in  the  dining-room, 
and  I  was  just  planning  my  morrow's  work  before  I  slept,  when 
the  window  came  in  with  a  frightful  crash.  With  a  quick  spring, 


ILLS   OF   PIONEER   LIFE.  69 

we  avoided  the  effects  of  broken  glass,  which  fell  on  the  bed  and 
all  over  the  floor.  The  window  was  not  permanently  cased,  and 
the  heavy  wind  of  the  Monday  night  previous  had  loosened  the 
nails. 

2~Lst.  —  A  gentleman,  just  up  from  Kansas  city,  brought  me 
some  letters  which  I  had  long  expected,  and  which  have  been 
lying  there  for  weeks.  He  brought  intelligence  also  of  String- 
fellow's  attack  upon  Gov.  Reeder  for  the  maintenance  of  an  honest 
opinion.  Preparations  are  being  made  by  our  people  to  celebrate 
the  coming  Fourth  of  July.  At  this  time,  when  Freedom  is  but 
a  name;  when  three  millions  of  human  beings,  created  in  the 
divine  image,  are  sold  as  chattels  in  a  country  boasting  of  lib 
erty  ;  when  the  two  hundred  thousand  slaveholders  are  using 
every  endeavor  to  enslave  the  twenty-five  millions  of  our  country 
men,  and  we  in  Kansas  already  feel  the  iron  heel  of  the  oppressor, 
making  us  truly  white  slaves,  —  we  will  celebrate  it  by  a  new 
Declaration  of  our  Independence,  and  in  the  God  of  our  fathers 
trust  that  he  will  lead  us  safely  through  this  Red  Sea  of  evil,  until 
we  plant  our  feet  securely  on  freedom's  bulwarks,  having  passed 
from  this  worse  than  Egyptian  bondage. 

July  4tk.  —  The  morning  of  the  Fourth  came  in  cloudy,  yet 
pleasant.  Word  had  been  sent  to  the  people  on  the  Wakarusa,  and 
many  were  expected.  Invitations  also  were  sent  to  the  Delaware 
and  Shawnee  Indians  to  mingle  in  our  festivities.  From  the 
elevated  position  of  our  house  we  saw  the  people  gathering  from 
all  quarters.  Several  teams,  of  oxen  as  well  as  horses,  the 
roughness  of  the  vehicles  being  hidden  under  garlands  of  green 
leaves  and  flowers,  came  in  from  the  Wakarusa.  A  beautiful  flag 
was  presented  by  a  Massachusetts  lady  to  the  military  companies 
of  Lawrence,  in  an  appropriate  speech,  in  behalf  of  the  ladies  of 
Lawrence.  After  its  acceptance,  the  procession  formed  upon 
Massachusetts-street,  and  was  escorted  by  the  military  to  a  fine 
grove  about  a  mile  from  town.  Here,  in  one  of  Nature's  grand 
old  forests,  seats  had  been  provided,  and  a  platform  raised  for  the 
orators  and  other  speakers,  for  the  singers  and  musical  instru 
ments.  The  number  present  was  variously  estimated  from  fifteen 
hundred  to  two  thousand.  It  was  a  motley  gathering.  There 


70  KANSAS. 

were  many  people  with  eastern  dress  and  manner,  and  settlers 
from  Missouri,  and  other  far  western  states,  no  less  distinctly 
marked  by  theirs.  The  Delawares  and  Shawnees  added  no  little 
to  the  interest  of  the  occasion.  After  the  reading  of  the  Decla 
ration  of  Independence,  whose  embodied  truths  seemed  to  have 
gained  new  vitality,  new  force,  since  we  last  listened  to  it,  came 
the  oration.  It  was,  for  the  most  part,  a  gathering  together  of 
the  opinions  of  southern  men  upon  the  vexed  question  of  slavery. 
There  were  confessions  as  to  the  relative  value  of  free  and  slave 
labor  by  some  of  their  best  educated  men.  There  was  a  most 
perfect  condemnation  of  the  whole  system  from  their  own  mouths. 
Then  the  question  of  our  own  position,  in  regard  to  the  encroach 
ments  of  a  neighboring  state,  was  touched  upon,  with  the  firm 
determination  to  assert  our  rights,  and  maintain  them.*  There 
were  speeches,  songs,  and  sentiments.  We  received  friendly 
words  of  welcome  from  the  chiefs  of  the  Delawares  and  Shawnees. 


*  The  following  is  the  conclusion  of  Dr.  R.'s  oration  : 

"  Fellow-citizens,  in  conclusion,  it  is  for  us  to  choose  for  ourselves,  and 
for  those  who  shall  come  after  us,  what  institutions  shall  bless  or  curse  our 
beautiful  Kansas.  Shall  we  have  freedom  for  all  the  people,  and  consequent 
prosperity,  or  slavery  for  a  part,  with  the  blight  and  mildew  inseparable 
from  it  ?  Choose  ye  this  day  which  you  will  serve,  —  Slavery  or  Freedom, 
—  and  then  be  true  to  your  choice.  If  slavery  is  best  for  Kansas,  then 
choose  it ;  but,  if  liberty,  then  choose  that. 

"  Let  every  man  stand  in  his  place,  and  acquit  himself  like  a  man  who 
knows  his  rights,  and,  knowing,  dares  maintain  them.  Let  us  repudiate 
all  laws  enacted  by  foreign  legislative  bodies,  or  dictated  by  Judge  Lynch, 
over  the  way.  Tyrants  are  tyrants,  and  tyranny  is  tyranny,  whether 
under  the  garb  of  law,  or  in  opposition  to  it.  So  thought,  and  so  acted,  our 
ancestors  ;  and  so  let  us  think  and  act.  We  are  not  alone  in  this  contest. 
The  entire  nation  is  agitated  upon  the  question  of  our  rights  ;  the  spirit  of 
'76  is  breathing  upon  some  ;  the  hand-writing  upon  the  wall  is  being  dis 
cerned  by  others  ;  while  the  remainder  the  gods  are  evidently  preparing 
for  destruction.  Every  pulsation  in  Kansas  vibrates  to  the  remotest  artery 
of  the  body  politic  ;  and  I  seem  to  hear  the  millions  of  freemen,  and  the 
millions  of  bondmen,  in  our  own  land,  the  millions  of  the  oppressed  in 
other  lands,  the  patriots  and  philanthropists  of  all  countries,  the  spirits  of 
the  revolutionary  heroes,  and  the  voice  of  God,  all  saying  to  the  people  of 
Kansas,  '  Do  your  duty  ! '  " 


ILLS   OF   PIONEER   LIFE.  71 

They  were  glad  to  see  us  coming,  not  with  the  hatchet  and  sounds 
of  war,  but  bringing  with  us  the  sweet  fruits  of  peace  and  civil 
ization.  Along  day  was  quickly  passed  —  the  first  Fourth  of 
July  in  Kansas  celebrated  by  its  white  settlers.  In  the  evening 
a  party  of  about  one  hundred  was  gathered,  to  strengthen  yet 
more  the  bonds  of  social  feeling,  in  our  largest  hall,  which  serves 
the  purpose  of  church,  school-room,  and  hall  for  all  political  and 
social  meetings.  We  had  refreshments  of  cakes  and  ice-creams, 
and  our  house  full,  as  usual,  at  night. 

6th.  —  A  little  child  is  dead.  The  family  took  the  small-pox 
while  on  the  Missouri  river,  some  two  months  since,  and  this  child 
has  never  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  disease.  We  carried 
a  friend  to  her  home  on  the  prairie,  and  called  for  the  minister  to 
attend  the  funeral,  leaving  doctor  asleep  and  alone.  We  heard 
at  evening  that  Dr.  Wood  (who  had  previously  attempted  to  cut 
down  our  house,  and  was  afterwards  appointed  Probate  Judge  by 
the  Shawnee  Legislature  —  who  was  continually  with  the  enemy  at 
the  time  of  the  fall  invasion,  and  in  the  crowd  which  attacked  and 
killed  Barber,  and,  since  removing  to  Lecompton,  procured  the  in 
dictments  for  treason)  was  very  angry  about  the  oration  on  the 
fourth ;  also  young  Andrews,  a  South  Carolinian,  and  liquor-sel 
ler.  They  both  threatened  that  they  would  take  the  doctor's  life ; 
but  a  person  in  this  country  soon  gets  accustomed  to  such  asser 
tions.  They  mean  nothing  when  uttered  by  these  men,  and  only 
prove  their  utter  cowardice.  They  reported  that  the  doctor  was 
afraid  to  go  down  town,  while  in  the  simplicity  of  his  heart  he  had 
been  taking  a  most  quiet  nap  upon  the  lounge,  with  windows  and 
doors  open,  and  alone  in  the  house,  not  awaking,  from  the  time  I 
left  for  a  two  miles'  drive,  until  my  return. 

1th.  —  With  a  carriage-load  of  ladies  I  drove  on  to  Dr.  B.'s, 
four  miles  away.  The  last  part  of  the  way  was  rough  and  hilly, 
reminding  one  more  of  Massachusetts  hills  than  anything  I  had 
seen  since  coming  to  Kansas.  For  a  mile  we  made  a  gradual 
ascent  up  hills,  which  look  so  wondrously  New  England  like,  that 
we  forgot  we  were  strangers  there.  From  the  house  we  took  a 
tramp  of  half  a  mile  down  to  the  lake,  and  were  well  repaid  for 
all  our  labor  and  fatigue  of  descending  and  climbing  hills,  by  the 


72  KANSAS. 

beautiful  views  continually  meeting  our  eyes  at  every  turn  in  the 
winding  path.  There  were  high,  conical-shaped  hills,  bearing  on 
their  tops  forest  trees,  with  dense,  thick  foliage  ;  at  the  next  mo 
ment  a  little  shady  nook,  with  silvery  rivulet  murmuring  over  its 
pebbly  bed,  would  peep  upon  one's  sight.  A  high  ledge,  with  a 
cool  spring  gushing  from  its  side,  and  flowers  overhanging  it,  came 
next. 

Our  guide  took  longer  steps  than  we,  and  seemed  more  used  to 
travelling  in  the  woods,  for  I  had  scarcely  time  to  see  all  I  wanted 
to,  get  over  places  dry-shod,  and  climb  up  the  steep  hills,  before 
he  would  be  far  out  of  sight.  However,  if  I  kept  the  last  strag 
gling  one  of  our  party  in  view,  I  felt  safe.  When  we  all  finally 
came  together  again,  as  they  at  last  waited  for  me,  our  guide  was 
coming  from  the  lake  with  his  hands  full  of  most  beautiful  flowers. 
They  were  larger  than  a  white  pond-lily,  and  much  more  beauti 
ful,  with  the  same  sweetness.  The  Indians  call  the  flora  "  Yon- 
kopen,"  and  they  live,  at  some  seasons,  upon  the  seeds  of  the 
plant,  of  which  there  some  eight  or  ten,  of  a  nut-like  appearance, 
in  each  seed-vessel.  The  Kaw  Indian  women  often  wade  into  the 
water  for  them  as  food.  Dr.  B.  informed  us  there  were  enough 
in  this  little  lake  for  the  subsistence  of  six  or  seven  families  for 
weeks. 

Last  night  some  of  the  gentlemen  whose  love  for  slavery  was 
outraged  by  the  out-spoken  words  for  freedom,  uttered  on  the 
fourth,  with  guns  and  pistols,  and  many  muttered  threats  of  re 
venge,  started  from  town  to  give  us  a  call.  Their  discretion  was 
probably  greater  than  their  valor,  and  it  might  be  that  the  effort 
of  climbing  this  hill  would  at  least  give  time  for  the  cooling  of 
their  rage. 

&th.  —  Sunday  we  had  company,  but  they  all  attended  church. 
How  I  wish  we  could  have  one  old-fashioned,  New  England  Sun 
day,  with  the  ringing  of  church  bells  to  call  us  to  service,  and 
quiet  at  home  !  We  are  full  of  company  at  all  times,  not  except 
ing  even  Sabbath  day.  We  now  have  meetings  every  Sabbath  at 
five  o'clock,  at  the  house,  or,  as  the  notice  was  given,  "  under  the 
shadow  of  Dr.  R.'s  house."  The  ladies  sit  in  the  front  room,  the 


ILLS    OF   PIONEER   LIFE.  73 

gentlemen  outside  on  benches  and  in  carriages,  while  the  preacher 
stands  in  the  doorway. 

"  Old  Gray  "  was  an  attentive  listener  to-night.  Just  after  the 
beginning  of  the  service  he  came  around  the  north  side  of  the 
house,  and  took  his  station  close  by  the  speakers,  where  he  re 
mained  until  the  last  prayer  was  said,  when  he  as  quietly  walked 
away. 

1<M.  —  Yesterday  the  doctor,  Mr.  L.,  and  G.,  went  down 
to  Kansas,  stopping  at  Shawnee  Mission  and  Westport.  A  gentle 
man  at  the  former  place,  a  pro-slavery  resident  of  Lawrence,  said 
to  G.,  "Is  the  doctor  going  to  Westport  ?  " 

Upon  his  replying  in  the  affirmative,  the  gentleman  said,  "  They 
are  going  to  hang  him  there." 

With  characteristic  naivete  G.  replied,  "  Is  that  all  ?  "  and  his 
informant,  turning  on  his  heel,  walked  away. 

The  doctor,  after  looking  in  upon  the  grave  legislators  who  hold 
their  sessions  at  the  Shawnee  Mission  School,  but  who  ride  over 
and  back  in  omnibuses  from  their  homes  in  Westport,  to  his  sat 
isfaction,  pursued  his  way  to  Kansas  city.  There,  friends  informed 
him  that  Dr.  Wood  had  been  there  attempting  to  arouse  the  bit 
terness  of  the  pro-slavery  men  against  him  ;  that  they  might  offer 
him  some  violence.  Having  completed  his  business  at  that  place, 
he  came  again  by  Westport  on  the  following  day,  stopping,  as  be 
fore,  at  the  mission.  He  saw  Dr.  Wood  there,  who  was  complain 
ing  that  the  stage  for  Lawrence  had  gone,  and  he  had  no  mode  of 
conveyance  home.  The  doctor  said  to  him,  "  Here  is  a  seat  in  my 
carriage,  if  you  like  ;  "  at  the  same  time  jocosely  adding,  "  but  we 
may  get  to  fighting." 

To  which  the  dignified  Dr.  Wood  offered  no  reply,  though  his 
hand  seemed  to  have  a  strange  affinity  to  something  in  his  coat 
pocket.  The  doctor  came  on  to  Lawrence  without  fear  or  molesta 
tion,  and  wholly  alone. 

18tk.  —  We  rode  into  the  country  some  miles,  to  dine.  We 
had  vegetables,  peas,  etc.,  with  pumpkin  pies  for  the  second  course. 
They  were  veritable  pumpkins, —  such  as  make  a  New  Englander 
think  of  home  and  Thanksgiving  holidays, —  ripened  this  year.  On 
our  way  home  we  called  at  another  friend's,  and,  to  shorten  distan- 
7 


74  KANSAS. 

ces,  went  across  the  prairie  where  there  was  no  road.  We  found 
several  deep  ravines,  difficult  to  cross,  but  with  no  actual  danger 
save  at  one  point.  There  was  a  deep  ravine,  with  a  natural  path, 
or  bridge,  over  it,  which  was  exceedingly  narrow,  while  the  chasm 
below  looked  frightful,  and  the  bank  before  us  very  steep.  The 
doctor  thought  he  could  drive  safely  over.  I  calculated  the 
chances  of  broken  limbs,  should  we  go  off  the  ledge,  and  the 
frightened  horse,  with  £tn  extra  pull  and  a  creaking  of  the  car 
riage,  took  us  again  on  to  safer  ground.  A  short  time  after,  as  we 
were  passing  along  quite  gayly  upon  a  side  hill,  thinking  the  perils 
of  the  way  were  over,  the  carriage  suddenly  slipped  down  against 
the  lower  wheels ;  but  we  arrived  home  safely  and  in  good  time. 

20th.  —  We  heard  of  the  illness  of  some  acquaintances  over  at 
Wakarusa,  and  I  accompanied  the  doctor  to  see  them.  We  had 
a  pleasant  drive  over,  though  the  crossing  at  the  Wakarusa  is 
steep.  The  little  dry  ravines  beyond  are  more  trying  to  springs. 
Our  friends  live  upon  the  top  of  "  Lone  Tree  Mound,"  a  high  ele 
vation,  the  "  lone  tree  "  and  house  for  many  miles  being  distinctly 
visible.  It  is  a  difficult  matter  to  reach  the  summit  of  the  hill, 
and  was  accomplished  by  winding  around  a  circuitous  way  upon 
the  side  hill,  with  the  carnage,  while  the  doctor  climbed  up  upon 
foot.  We  at  length  reached  the  house,  and  found  our  friends  glad 
to  see  us.  So  far  as  they  are  from  neighbors,  and  so  difficult  of 
access  when  sickness  has  been  upon  them,  one  or  both,  the  times 
have  indeed  looked  dark,  and  life's  road  dreary.  They  sent  for  the 
doctor  several  days  since,  but  the  word  had  but  just  reached  him. 

Hoping  to  find  a  better  road  home,  we  turned  into  another,  but 
found  it  infinitely  worse.  In  the  bottom  of  one  ravine  "  Old 
Gray  "  made  a  false  step,  and  fell,  breaking  both  shafts.  Yankee 
ingenuity  was  brought  into  requisition,  and  after  tying  on  poles 
with  anything  in  the  shape  of  strings  which  could  be  produced  for 
the  emergency  of  the  hour,  and  a  good  deal  of  merriment,  we  were 
en  route  again.  Before  the  cutting  of  the  poles,  there  was  a  most 
amusing  silence.  The  horse,  having  been  led  up  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  was  looking  meekly  for  further  orders.  The  doctor  was  stand 
ing  near  by,  with  his  hands  upon  his  sides,  and  looking  the  very 
image  of  patience,  and  poor  little  me,  feeling  like  laughing,  and 


ILLS   OP   PIONEER   LIFE.  75 

yet  feeling  sober  in  view  of  remaining  all  night  with  the  prairie 
wolves,  in  such  a  place  as  this,  sat  demurely  in  the  carriage. 
Finally  I  said,  "  Shall  I  get  out  of  the  carriage  ?  "  And  the  im 
age  of  patience  came  forward,  saying  "  Yes,"  and  assisted  me  out. 
I  knew  then  that  in  some  corner  of  his  brain  there  was  a  plan  for 
new  shafts,  and  a  sure  prospect  for  our  return  to  Lawrence. 
Within  two  miles  of  Lawrence  we  called  at  the  place  where  we 
got  our  weekly  supply  of  butter,  which  is  of  the  best  quality. 
While  the  lady  of  the  little  log  cabin  was  weighing  it  out.  her 
husband  came  to  the  carriage,  and,  after  talking  a  moment,  went 
in  again  to  play  us  some  tunes.  His  fondness  for  music  amounts 
to  a  passion,  and  while  living  in  Ohio  he  often  taught  music.  He 
has  a  large  dairy  here. 

About  a  mile  further  on  our  way  home,  two  gentlemen  on  horse 
back,  coming  from  the  direction  of  Lawrence,  rode  hastily  up,  and, 
with  a  good  deal  of  excitement  in  their  manner,  informed  us  that 
a  large  body  of  Missourians  were  encamped  near  Hickory  Point ; 
that  they  threatened  to  drive  off  the  free-state  settlers ;  and,  lastly, 
that  a  fight  was  expected.  They  desired  the  doctor  to  use  his 
influence  with  the  people  of  Lawrence,  to  have  a  force  sent  out 
immediately  to  aid  their  neighbors  at  Hickory  Point.  He  said  to 
them  he  "  thought  it  was  a  ruse,"  and  promised  to  do  nothing  until 
more  reliable  information  should  come.  One  of  the  gentlemen, 
who  has  always  been  famous  here  for  his  words  of  bravado,  and 
want  of  bravery  in  action,  said,  on  parting,  "  I  will  send  an  express 
every  hour." 

22d.  —  The  military  companies  are  on  drill  to-day.  A  friend 
sent  us  a  basket  of  mandrakes.  They  have  a  pleasant  flavor,  but 
are  quite  medicinal.  The  gentleman's  "express"  is  not  yet  heard 
from. 

A  gentleman,  living  nine  miles  distant,  sent  to  the  doctor  this 
morning  to  come  and  see  him.  He  found  him  quite  ill  with  fever, 
in  a  little  cabin,  alone,  with  no  one  to  take  care  of  him.  So, 
placing  the  bed  in  the  carriage,  he  brought  him  home  with  him. 

236?.  —  The  patient  was  not  injured  by  his  ride,  but  his  ner 
vousness  exceeded  all  bounds.  We  had  a  quantity  of  delicious 
apples.  Apples  were  first  brought  into  market  here  on  the  fourth 


76  KANSAS. 

of  this  month.  A  large  pailful  of  grapes  was  also  sent  in. 
These  are  smaller,  and  not  as  sweet  as  those  which  ripen  in  Octo 
ber.  We  had  rain  with  furious  wind  beforehand.  Such  clouds 
of  dust  arose  as  to  hide  the  town  from  our  sight.  Several  panes 
of  glass  blew  out,  and,  in  attempting  to  put  boards  at  the  window, 
to  keep  out  the  pouring  rain,  we  were  thoroughly  drenched.  The 
little  calf  in  the  pen  seems  frightened  too,  breaks  his  rope,  leaps 
the  fence,  and  scuds  before  the  wind  like  a  frightened  hare.  We 
have  a  general  hubbub.  Mr.  C.,  a  lawyer  here,  was  assaulted  by 
Dr.  Wood,  this  afternoon.  Dr.  Wood  invited  Mr.  C.  to  his 
house,  saying  he  wanted  to  talk  with  him.  On  reaching  the 
house,  however,  he  declined  to  go  into  it,  and  took  Mr.  C. 
around  on  the  east  side  of  it,  and  there  they  sat  down.  Dr.  Wood 
then  asked  him  if  he  thought  so  and  so  in  regard  to  the  settlement 
of  the  city  property,  making  his  own  action  in  the  affair  fair  and 
honorable.  Mr.  C.  said  he  thought  not ;  whereupon  Dr.  Wood 
struck  Mr.  C.,  with  a  piece  of  iron,  or  a  slung  shot,  upon  his  head, 
cutting  a  deep  gash  in  it.  He  then  ran.  Mr.  C.  soon  came  into 
the  street,  and,  as  the  brave  doctor  was  picking  up  a  stone  to 
throw  at  the  wounded  man,  several  of  the  citizens  gathered  around 
and  put  an  end  to  it. 

24£A.  —  We  were  scarcely  up  this  morning  before  word  came 
that  Mrs.  L.  was  dead  or  dying.  She  was  taken  ill  last  evening. 
Two  of  the  children  are  also  dead.  It  is  thought  their  deaths 
were  occasioned  by  eating  very  freely  of  mandrakes  yesterday  —  a 
disease  like  cholera  being  the  result.  Remembering  her  as  I  saw 
her  in  the  little,  pent-up  cabin,  I  can  but  think  the  change  a  glo 
rious  one,  for  now  there  must  be  room,  room  for  the  freed  spirit, 
earth's  fetters  broken.  There  are  now  two  motherless  little  girls. 
The  mother  and  youngest  two  are  buried  in  one  grave. 

"  Thou  hast  all  seasons  for  thine  own,  0  Death  !  " 

28^A.  —  As  a  relaxation,  being  wearied  with  constant  company 
and  continued  care  of  so  large  a  family,  with  want  of  quiet,  the 
doctor  proposed  a  ride  to  Fish's.  With  a  full  carriage  load,  we 
made  the  proposed  visit.  Fish's  is  a  sort  of  stopping-place  by  the 
way,  nine  miles  from  Lawrence,  and  between  thirty  and  forty 


ILLS  OF  PIONEER  LIFE.  77 

miles  from  Kansas  city.  Entertainment  for  man  and  beast  is 
found  there.  The  building  is  of  wood,  two  stories  in  height. 
Upon  the  lower  floor  are  a  dining-room,  which  is  also  used  for  gen 
eral  reception-room,  and  a  store  of  groceries,  dry  goods,  and  the 
et  cetera,  needful  to  supply  the  Indians  in  this  region,  while  the 
upper  rooms  serve  for  sleeping  apartments.  The  worn  traveller, 
after  a  ride  of  thirty-five  miles,  in  the  broiling  sun,  or  in  the 
piercing  winds,  is  glad  of  a  rest,  even  in  a  building  so  unhome- 
like  as  this. 

Mr.  Fish,  who  owns  the  establishment,  is  a  Shawnee  Indian,  of 
education  and  principle.  He  is  a  firm  believer  in  the  assertion 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  that  "  all  men  are  born  free 
and  equal,"  and  gladly  extends  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  to 
those  who  come  desiring  to  plant  the  seeds  of  truth  and  freedom 
in  this  new  country.  He  would,  with  us,  joyfully  welcome  the 
hour,  when,  grown  into  a  mighty  tree,  its  spreading  branches  should 
cover  the  whole  land.  Two  gentlemen  connected  with  Fish  are 
from  Boston.  Mr.  F.,  who  superintends  the  culinary  department, 
is  from  Massachusetts,  and  our  appetites  attest  to  his  skill  in 
that  line.  Some  Indian  women,  who  came  to  the  store  to  trade, 
sit  at  the  table  with  us.  We  talk  of  their  dress  and  ornaments, 
not  supposing  they  can  understand  us,  while  they  gravely  listen. 
"When  we  have  ceased  commenting,  they  repeat  to  Mr.  Fish,  in 
Shawnee,  what  we  have  said,  as  he  tells  us;  they  seem  much 
amused  and  laugh  heartily.  They  have  the  advantage  of  us,  being 
able  to  speak  English  as  well  as  Delaware  and  Shawnee. 

July  31s£.  —  We  have  had  rain  as  often  as  every  alternate  day, 
for  the  last  week,  in  gentle  showers  mostly,  and  often  at  night,  the 
days  being  clear  and  pleasant.  A  part  of  our  guests  left  a  few 
days  since,  and  on  the  next  day,  on  a  short  half  hour's  notice,  we 
had  six  gentlemen  and  a  lady  to  dine.  We  have  now  very  nice 
melons.  The  melons,  cantelopes,  tomatoes,  etc.,  are  finer  than  any 
I  have  ever  seen  elsewhere.  Four  more  strangers  were  in,  in  the 
afternoon,  and  we  were  not  able  to  finish  our  day's  work  until  sun 
down.  To-day  the  doctor  and  I  took  a  short  ride  on  horseback,  to 
get  away  from  care.  We  found  other  company,  on  our  return, 
just  returned  from  the  regions  of  Fort  Riley.  The  cholera  is 
7* 


78 


KANSAS. 


making  terrible  havoc  there,  among  the  men  principally  engaged 
on  the  government  works.  They  are  said  to  have  exposed  them 
selves  most  wilfully,  by  drinking  of  poor  water,  when  at  a  little 
distance  the  best  was  to  be  had.  Major  Ogden,  a  most  estimable 
man,  has  fallen  a  victin  to  the  dread  disease,  also  some  families 
of  the  officers.  This  afternoon  I  have  been  off  upon  the  prairie 
alone.  Was  two  miles  from  home  at  sun-down,  and,  before  I  reached 
it,  could  not  see  the  path  for  the  darkness,  but  trusted  to  "Old 
Gray."  The  sick  man  is  so  far  recovered  as  to  leave. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

KANSAS  LAWS  —  GOVERNOR  SHANNON. 

Aug.  10.  —  "  All  day  the  low  hung  clouds  have  dropped  their 
garnered  fulness  down." 

People  begin  to  come  in  from  the  country,  miles  distant,  to  the 
Convention,  which  is  to  be  held  on  the  14th  and  15th. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  the  Legislature,  elected  by  Missourians, 
assembled,  as  ordered  by  Gov.  Reeder,  at  Pawnee,  more  than  one 
hundred  miles  from  the  border.  Mr.  Conway,  of  the  sixth  dis 
trict,  resigned  his  seat  in  the  council,  on  the  ground  that,  having 
been  elected  by  illegal  votes,  this  pretended  Legislature  had  no 
claim  to  that  character.  The  members  of  the  House  chosen  at  the 
new  election,  ordered  by  Gov.  Reeder,  were  deprived  of  their  seats. 

On  the  4th,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act,  removing  the  seat  of 
government  to  the  Shawnee  Mission,  two  or  three  miles  from  West- 
port.  Gov.  Reeder  vetoed  it,  as  inconsistent  with  the  organic  act. 

On  the  16th,  the  Legislature  reiissembled  at  that  place,  and  on 
the  22d,  D.  Houston,  the  only  free-state  member  of  the  Assembly, 
resigned  his  seat,  not  only  on  the  ground  that  the  Legislature  was 
an  illegal  body,  but  that,  by  its  removal  from  Pawnee,  it  had  nul 
lified  itself. 

The  laws  passed  by  the  Shawnee  Legislature  are  of  an  intolerant, 
Draconian  character,  allowing  to  the  people  of  this  territory  no 
rights.  They  are  copied  from  the  Missouri  statute  book,  with  the 
exception  of  those  relating  to  the  qualifications  of  voters  of  the 
Legislative  Assembly,  and  the  slave  code,  which  are  made  especially 
to  crush  the  people  of  this  territory.  They  allow  them  no  voice 
in  those  matters  of  government  which  most  concern  them. 

The  following  is  taken  verbatim  from  the  "  Laws  of  the  Territory 


80  KANSAS. 


of  Kansas,"  furnished  to  Congress,  on  its  requisition,  by  President 
Pierce,  and  printed  as  "  Exec.  Doc.  234." 


"  AN  ACT  TO  PUNISH  OFFENCES  AGAINST  SLAVE-PROPERTY. 

§  1.  Persons  raising  insurrection  punishable  with  death. 

2.  Aider  punishable  with  death. 

3.  What  constitutes  felony. 

4.  Punishment  for  decoying  away  slaves. 

5.  Punishment  for  assisting  slaves. 

6.  What  deemed  grand  larceny. 

7.  What  deemed  felony. 

8.  Punishment  for  concealing  slaves. 

9.  Punishment  for  rescuing  slaves  from  officer. 

10.  Penalty  on  officer  who  refuses  to  assist  in  capturing  slaves. 

11.  Printing  of  incendiary  documents. 

12.  What  deemed  a  felony. 

13.  Who  are  qualified  as  jurors. 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor  and  Legislative  Assembly  of  the 
Territory  of  Kansas,  as  follows  : 

"  SECTION  1.  That  every  person,  bond  or  free,  who  shall  be  con 
victed  of  actually  raising  a  rebellion  or  insurrection  of  slaves,  free 
negroes  or  mulattoes,  in  this  territory,  shall  suffer  death. 

"  SEC.  2.  Every  free  person  who  shall  aid  or  assist  in  any 
rebellion  or  insurrection  of  slaves,  free  negroes  or  mulattoes,  or 
shall  furnish  arms,  or  do  any  overt  act  in  furtherance  of  such  rebel 
lion  or  insurrection,  shall  suffer  death. 

"  SEC.  3.  If  any  free  person  shall,  by  speaking,  writing  or  print 
ing,  advise,  persuade  or  induce,  any  slaves  to  rebel,  conspire  against 
or  murder  any  citizen  of  this  territory,  or  shall  bring  into,  print, 
write,  publish,  or  circulate,  or  cause  to  be  brought  into,  printed, 
written,  published  or  circulated,  or  shall  knowingly  aid  or  assist  in 
the  bringing  into,  printing,  writing,  publishing  or  circulating,  in  this 
territory,  any  book,  paper,  magazine,  pamphlet  or  circular,  for  the 
purpose  of  exciting  insurrection,  rebellion,  revolt  or  conspiracy  on 
the  part  of  the  slaves,  free  negroes  or  mulattoes,  against  the  citi 
zens  of  the  territory  or  any  part  of  them,  such  person  shall  be 
guilty  of  felony,  and  suffer  death. 


KANSAS  LAWS  —  GOV.  SHANNON.  81 

"  SEC.  4.  If  any  person  shall  entice,  decoy  or  carry  away  out  of 
this  territory  any  slave  belonging  to  another,  with  intent  to  deprive 
the  owner  thereof  of  the  services  of  such  slave,  or  with  intent  to 
effect  or  procure  the  freedom  of  such  slave,  he  shall  be  adjudged 
guilty  of  grand  larceny,  and,  on  conviction  thereof,  shall  suffer 
death,  or  be  imprisoned  at  hard  labor  for  not  less  than  ten  years. 

"  SEC.  5.  If  any  person  shall  aid  or  assist  in  enticing,  decoying, 
or  persuading,  or  carrying  away,  or  sending  out  of  this  territory, 
any  slave  belonging  to  another,  with  intent  to  procure  or  effect  the 
freedom  of  such  slave,  or  with  intent  to  deprive  the  owner  thereof 
of  the  services  of  such  slave,  he  shall  be  adjudged  guilty  of  grand 
larceny,  and,  on  conviction  thereof,  shall  suffer  death,  or  be  impris 
oned  at  hard  labor  for  not  less  than  ten  years. 

"  SEC.  6.  If  any  person  shall  entice,  decoy  or  carry  away  out 
of  any  state  or  other  territory  of  the  United  States,  any  slave 
belonging  to  another,  with  intent  to  procure  or  effect  the  freedom 
of  such  slave,  or  to  deprive  the  owner  thereof  of  the  services  of 
such  slave,  and  shall  bring  such  slave  into  this  territory,  he  shall 
be  adjudged  guilty  of  grand  larceny,  in  the  same  manner  as  if 
such  slave  had  been  enticed,  decoyed  or  carried  away  out  of  this 
territory,  and  in  such  case  the  larceny  may  be  charged  to  have 
been  committed  in  any  county  of  this  territory,  into  or  through 
which  such  slave  shall  have  been  brought  by  such  person,  and,  on 
conviction  thereof,  the  person  offending  shall  suffer  death,  or  be 
imprisoned  at  hard  labor  for  not  less  than  ten  years. 

"  SEC.  7.  If  any  person  shall  entice,  persuade  or  induce  any 
slave  to  escape  from  the  service  of  his  master  or  owner  in  this  ter 
ritory,  or  shall  aid  or  assist  any  slave  in  escaping  from  the  service 
of  his  master  or  owner,  or  shall  aid,  assist,  harbor  or  conceal,  any 
slave  who  may  have  escaped  from  the  service  of  his  master  or  owner, 
he  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  felony,  and  punished  by  imprisonment 
at  hard  labor  for  a  term  of  not  less  than  five  years. 

"  SEC.  8.  If  any  person  in  this  territory  shall  aid  or  assist, 
harbor  or  conceal,  any  slave  who  has  escaped  from  the  service  of 
his  master  or  owner,  in  another  state  or  territory,  such  person 
shall  be  punished  in  like  manner  as  if  such  slave  had  escaped  from 
the  service  of  his  master  or  owner  in  this  territory. 


82  KANSAS. 

"  SEC.  9.  If  any  person  shall  resist  any  officer  while  attempting 
to  arrest  any  slave  that  may  have  escaped  from  the  service  of  his 
master  or  owner,  or  shall  rescue  such  slave  when  in  custody  of  any 
officer  or  other  person,  or  shall  entice,  persuade,  aid  or  assist,  such 
slave  to  escape  from  the  custody  of  any  officer  or  other  person  who 
may  have  such  slave  in  custody,  whether  such  slave  have  escaped 
from  the  service  of  his  master  or  owner  in  this  territory,  or  in  any 
other  state  or  territory,  the  person  so  offending  shall  be  guilty  of 
felony,  and  punished  by  imprisonment  at  hard  labor  for  a  term  of 
not  less  than  two  years. 

"  SEC.  10.  If  any  marshal,  sheriff  or  constable,  or  the  deputy 
of  any  such  officer,  shall,  when  required  by  any  person,  refuse  to 
aid  or  assist  in  the  capture  of  any  slave  that  may  have  escaped 
from  the  service  of  his  master  or  owner,  whether  such  slave  shall 
have  escaped  from  his  master  or  owner  in  this  territory,  or  any 
state  or  other  territory,  such  officer  shall  be  fined  in  a  sum  of  not 
less  than  one  hundred  nor  more  than  five  hundred  dollars. 

"  SEC.  11.  If  any  person  print,  write,  introduce  into,  publish  or 
circulate,  or  cause  to  be  brought  into,  printed,  written,  published 
or  circulated,  or  shall  knowingly  aid  or  assist  in  bringing  into, 
printing,  publishing  or  circulating  within  this  territory,  any  book, 
paper,  pamphlet,  magazine,  handbill  or  circular,  containing  any 
statements,  arguments,  opinions,  sentiment,  doctrine,  advice  or 
innuendo,  calculated  to  produce  a  disorderly,  dangerous  or  rebellious 
disaffection  among  the  slaves  in  this  territory,  or  to  induce  such 
slaves  to  escape  from  the  service  of  their  masters,  or  to  resist  their 
authority,  he  shall  be  guilty  of  felony,  and  be  punished  by  impris 
onment  and  hard  labor  for  a  term  not  less  than  five  years. 

"  SEC.  12.  If  any  free  person,  by  speaking  or  by  writing,  assert 
or  maintain  that  persons  have  not  the  right  to  hold  slaves  in  this 
territory,  or  shall  introduce  into  this  territory,  print,  publish,  write, 
circulate,  or  cause  to  be  introduced  into  this  territory,  written, 
printed,  published  or  circulated  in  this  territory,  any  book,  paper, 
magazine,  pamphlet  or  circular,  containing  any  denial  of  therio-ht 
of  persons  to  hold  slaves  in  this  territory,  such  person  shall  be 
deemed  guilty  of  felony,  and  punished  by  imprisonment  at  hard 
labor  for  a  term  of  not  less  than  two  years. 


KANSAS   LAWS  —  GOV.    SHANNON.  83 

"  SEC.  13.  No  person  who  is  conscientiously  opposed  to  holding 
slaves,  or  who  does  not  admit  the  right  to  hold  slaves  in  this  ter 
ritory,  shall  sit  as  a  juror  on  the  trial  of  any  prosecution  for  any 
violation  of  any  of  the  sections  of  this  act. 

"  This  act  to  take  effect  and  be  in  force  from  and  after  the 
fifteenth  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1855." 

Several  meetings  have  been  held,  taking  this  matter  into  consid 
eration,  and  much  talk  had  in  reference  to  holding  a  general  con 
vention,  with  the  view  of  forming  a  state  government,  and  asking 
for  admission  as  a  state  at  the  next  Congress. 

I2tk.  —  It  rained  pouringly  all  last  night,  and  without  ceasing 
to-day.  Mr.  D.'s  house,  down  on  the  street,  was  struck  by 
the  lightning  last  night,  and  one  corner  of  the  roof  torn  off  by  the 
fluid.  Mrs.  D.  was  alone,  save  two  little  children.  These  were 
stunned  by  the  shock  so  that  they  returned  no  answer  to  the 
mother's  repeated  call  upon  them  to  speak.  The  wind  came  in  so 
furiously  through  the  open  dwelling,  that  she  was  not  able  to  keep 
a  light  long  enough  to  assure  herself  whether  they  still  lived. 
Thus  the  weary  night  passed  away ;  the  storm  raged  without,  and 
many  conflicting  fears  and  anxieties  within. 

The  officials  at  Washington,  with  President  Pierce  as  their 
nominal  head,  have  seen  that  in  Gov.  Reeder  the  whole  people  of 
the  territory  have  an  impartial  friend  —  have  seen,  too,  that  he 
follows  to  the  letter  the  law  under  which  he  acts  as  governor. 
They  are  no  less  determined  now,  than  at  the  time  of  the  repeal 
of  the  Missouri  compromise,  to  force  slavery  upon  this  fair  land, 
and  have,  therefore,  resolved  to  remove  him  upon  a  false  charge 
of  speculating  in  Kaw  lands.  He  has  repudiated  the  acts  of  the 
Legislature  because  of  their  holding  their  session  in  violation  of 
the  organic  act.  Now  a  creature  will  be  sent  here  in  the  form  of 
a  man,  but  ignoring  all  manliness,  and  selling  body  and  soul  to  do 
the  infamous  work  of  the  slave  power.  No  man  of  integrity  and 
sterling  honesty  can  long  hold  this  office,  as  he  will  displease  both 
the  people  of  Missouri  and  the  federal  head. 

13£/i. —  It  was  beautifully  clear  this  morning,  but  rain 
was  soon  falling.  Friends  from  Boston  arrived  in  the  evening, 


84  KANSAS. 

after  a  long  ride  from  Kansas  city,  through  the  treacherous  mud 
and  drenching  rain.  People  for  the  convention  are  still  gathering 
from  all  parts  of  the  territory.  They  feel  themselves  a  wronged 
and  oppressed  people.  Thousands  of  men,  from  another  state, 
armed  with  instruments  of  death,  and  maltreating  our  citizens, 
have  thus  elected  men  to  make  our  laws.  They  are  men,  for  the 
most  part,  so  ignorant,  that  in  any  other  country  they  would  not 
be  considered  eligible  to  the  most  unimportant  office.  It  is  stated, 
upon  good  authority,  that  some  of  them  can  neither  read  nor  write. 
Such  ignorance  is  not  strange  when  we  consider  the  fact  of  the  scarc 
ity  of  schools  through  the  border  counties  of  Missouri  —  one  of  the 
most  populous  boasting  only  one  within  its  entire  limits.  Such  des 
titution  is  one  of  slavery's  trophies.  While  the  Richmond  En 
quirer  comes  out  in  wordy  tirades  upon  common  schools,  why 
should  "Western  Missouri  do  more  than  feed  the  brutal  passions, 
leaving  the  mind  uncultivated  and  rough  as  the  shores  of  her  great 
river  ? 

These  men  have  enacted  laws  worthy  alone  of  the  dark  ages. 
Those  of  Draco  were  humane  in  the  comparison,  and  Nero's  blood- 
thirstiness  is  transformed  into  the  milk  of  human  kindness  before 
this  new  light  of  the  nineteenth  century.  We  have  looked  to 
him  who  has  sworn  to  protect  the  whole  people,  the  executive  of 
the  nation.  We  might  sooner  look  to  the  granite  hills  of  his  own 
state  with  hope  of  sympathy ;  for,  given  over  to  the  minions  of 
slavery,  to  do  their  bidding,  no  thunders  save  those  of  a  long  out 
raged,  indignant  people  will  ever  awaken  him. 

14tk.  —  Twelve  strangers  dined  with  us  to-day.  They  came 
from  one  hundred  miles  back  in  the  territory,  and  there,  as  here, 
they  represent  the  feeling  of  the  people  strong  against  these  un 
heard-of  outrages  and  frauds.  We  are  struggling  for  our  own 
freedom  against  a  tyranny  more  unjust  than  that  which  King 
George  exercised  over  the  colonies.  Though  a  war,  a  conflict  like 
that  even  of  seven  years'  duration,  be  the  result  of  it,  the  end, 
bringing  in  the  glorious  reign  of  freedom,  will  be  a  final  triumph. 

These  gentlemen  speak  of  the  good  appearance  of  the  crops. 
Corn  near  the  river  called  the  Big  Blue  is  very  high.  Some  of 
the  stalks  measure  eighteen  feet  and  some  inches. 


KANSAS  LAWS — GOV.    SHANNON.  85 

Ibth.  —  The  "  windows  of  heaven  "  seem  literally  to  be  opened, 
for  the  rain  still  pours  down  in  torrents ;  but  it  does  not  in  the 
least  dampen  the  ardor  of  our  people ;  and  they,  considering  the 
facts  of  their  want  of  protection  from  the  government,  and  being 
without  any  law-making  power,  resolve  to  act  in  view  of  such  a 
state  of  things.  A  large  and  enthusiastic  meeting  was  held  in 
the  evening  to  take  the  matter  into  consideration  of  forming  a 
government  of  their  own. 

18th.  —  The  quiet  citizens  of  Lawrence  are  continually  annoyed 
by  the  street  broils  in  our  midst.  Four  brothers,  by  the  name  of 
Hopper,  living  a  few  miles  out,  by  insult  and  indignity  have  en 
deavored  to  get  our  people  to  that  spot  where  forbearance  would 
cease  to  be  a  virtue;  where,  acting  upon  the  first  law  of  nature, 
they  would  give  blow  for  blow.  A  man,  ignorant  to  the  last 
degree,  whose  identity  is  recognized  by  all  our  people  under  the 
cognomen  of  "  Sam  Salters,"  and  who  holds  an  office  of  deputy- 
sheriff  under  the  Shawnee  Legislature,  has  also  acted  with  them. 
Scarcely  a  day  has  passed  for  weeks  that  the  long-sufferance  of 
the  people  of  Lawrence  has  not  been  wantonly  trifled  with.  The 
apparent  object  has  been  to  get  some  one  to  retaliate,  and  then 
word  would  be  given  to  the  border  counties  of  Missouri.  On  the 
wings  of  the  wind  expresses  would  be  sent.  By  falsehoods  and 
inflammatory  rumors,  they  would  so  inflame  the  passions  of  the 
people,  until,  like  an  avalanche,  they  would  pour  in  upon  us,  and 
a  plea  be  given  for  the  war  of  extermination  they  are  continually 
threatening.  The  border  papers  are  full  of  threats  against  the 
Yankees.  An  extract  from  the  Leavenworth  Herald  is  a  sample 
of  all :  "  Dr.  Robinson  is  solts  agent  for  the  underground  railroad 
leading  out  of  Western  Missouri,  and  for  the  transportation  of 
fugitive  '  niggers.'  His  office  is  in  Lawrence,  K.  T.  Give  him 
a  call." 

19th.  —  Two  large  carriage  loads  went  from  our  house  to  attend 
a  camp-meeting  on  the  Wakarusa.  It  was  holden  in  the  woods 
on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  while  seats  were  provided  for  the 
audience  in  front  of  the  high  broad  platform  used  by  the  speakers, 
the  tents  for  the  night  were  at  a  little  distance  in  the  back-ground. 
The  carriages,  of  every  possible  description,  and  of  every  grade  of 
8 


86  KANSAS. 

beauty,  from  a  rockaway  to  a  rough,  springless  cart  with  board 
seats,  were  fastened  around  the  entrance  to  the  grove,  and  gave 
to  the  whole  a  most  novel  appearance.  There  was  a  large  gather 
ing  of  people,  and  the  services  would  be  impressive  were  it  not  for 
the  continued  "  Amens,"  in  shrill  as  well  as  deep  guttural  tones, 
which  the  zealous  worshippers  are  sounding  in  one's  ears  from  all 
quarters. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  western  emigrants  to  Kansas  are 
Methodists,  and  many  of  them  are  very  fine  people.  The  presid 
ing  elder  here  is  a  mild,  benevolent-looking  man,  to  whom  a  stran 
ger  would  at  once  feel  attracted.  He  came  from  Georgia,  for 
merly,  and  for  years  has  been  a  resident  of  Missouri.  No  one 
more  than  he  can  have  seen  the  evils  of  slavery,  and,  by  his  firm 
adherence  to  the  principles  of  liberty,  he  attests  his  abhorrence  of 
it.  There  are  several  clergymen  in  the  territory,  who  have  been 
residents  of  Missouri  over  twenty  years,  whose  souls  are  strong  in 
their  love  of  freedom. 

2~Lst.  —  The  little  steam  ferry-boat,  Lizzie,  was  here  to-day. 
How  we  wish  some  enterprising  capitalist  would  build  some  boats 
with  a  draft  of  only  ten  or  twelve  inches  without  load,  such  as  are 
used  upon  the  California  waters !  Every  day  we  might  hear  the 
shrill  steam-whistle,  telling  of  active  business  life,  and  a  means 
of  communication  between  us  and  the  rest  of  the  world.  Then 
the  freights  which  have  to  be  brought  forty-five  miles  by  land,  on 
wagons,  could  more  easily  be  transported  into  the  territory,  and 
passengers  would  find  the  journey  much  less  tedious.  Now,  if  a 
mill  gives  way,  any  part  of  the  machinery  breaking,  nothing  in  all 
Missouri,  this  side  of  St.  Louis,  can  be  found  for  repairs ;  and  all 
these  heavy  freights  have  to  be  brought  by  land  from  Kansas 
city.  A  boat  briskly  plying  on  the  river  would  add  much  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  territory. 

22d.  +- 1  have  little  leisure  for  reading  and  writing.  This  after 
noon  I  took  Mrs.  W.  to  ride,  and  she  acknowledges  she  never  saw 
so  lovely  a  country,  —  thinks  it  would  be  pleasant  to  have  a  sum 
mer  home  here,  with  a  winter  home  in  Boston.  Before  we  took 
our  drive  into  the  country,  she  received  her  first  lesson  in  horse 
back  riding,  and  caused  us  many  a  hearty  laugh  by  her  fearful- 


KANSAS   LAWS — GOV.    SHANNON.  87 

ness,  calling  "  Whoa  !  "  "  Whoa  !  "  to  the  horse,  when  he  was  stand 
ing  as  still  as  anything  could,  and  after  at  last  going  a  little  dis 
tance,  asking,  in  most  plaintive  tones,  for  some  one  to  come  and 
turn  the  horse  around. 

24:tk. — The  report  of  Mr.  Dawson's  declining  the  appointment 
of  governor  of  Kansas  is  confirmed  ;  also  that  Wilson  Shannon,  of 
Ohio,  has  been  appointed  in  his  place,  and  will  accept  the  ap 
pointment.  Coming,  as  Mr.  Shannon  does,  from  the  free  state  of 
Ohio,  where  the  principles  of  truth  and  freedom  are  engraven  on 
the  hearts  of  her  people,  deeply  and  indelibly,  we  ought  to  expect 
a  man  in  whose  heart  are  large  sympathies,  whose  mind  is  enlight 
ened.  But  from  all  the  antecedents  of  his  life,  his  course  in  Mex 
ico,  his  daily  life  of  dissoluteness  and  debauchery  in  California, 
which  was  a  shame  and  burning  disgrace  upon  his  countrymen,  we 
have  nothing  good  to  expect.  Such  a  man  will  naturally  be  the 
tool  of  Missouri  and  the  administration.  No  other  could  accept  the 
appointment  as  the  second  choice  of  the  President  since  Governor 
lieeder's  removal.  We  have  only  to  endure  with  patience  the 
administration  of  government  under  such  men,  still  looking  for 
ward  to  the  "good  time  coming." 

oOt/i.  —  There  is  a  Hungarian  doctor  here,  who  pretends  he  has 
in  open  field  fought  for  Hungary  by  the  side  of  Louis  Kossuth. 
Yet,  strange  as  the  fact  seems  to  us,  he  has  openly  espoused  the 
side  of  the  oppressor  here,  and  for  the  Hoppers  and  Sam  Sailers 
become  a  champion.  He  rolls  up  his  sleeves  and  daily  walks 
the  streets  threatening  peaceable  citizens  with  annihilation.  At 
the  slightest  disturbance  or  refusal  of  our  people  to  be  overawed 
by  him,  he  runs  for  bowie-knife  and  revolver.  Threats  of  "  I  '11 
cut  your  heart  out !  "  "I  '11  shoot  you  !  "  or  "  Drive  the  d — d 
Yankees  from  the  territory  !  "  are  of  every-day  occurrence. 

Sept.  1st. — The  new  governor  arrived  at  Wcstport,  Missouri, 
and  was  received  into  full  fellowship,  and  with  demonstrations  of 
joy.  Before  setting  foot  in  the  territory,  or  looking  upon  his  real 
constituents,  the  bona  fide  settlers  of  Kansas,  full  of  whiskey  and 
elation  of  office,  he  made  to  them  a  speech.  He  told  them  in  it 
repeatedly  of  their  Legislature,  the  laws  they  had  enacted,  and 
assured  them,  with  great  fervor  of  manner,  that  he  should  call 


88  KANSAS. 

upon  them  to  aid  him  in  their  enforcement.  All  this  the  people 
of  Westport,  Missouri,  received  with  .cheers  and  hurrahs  ;  and,  in 
loud  bursts  of  enthusiasm,  they  expressed  their  joy  that  the  tool  was 
sure.  Governor  Shannon's  son  quietly  asked  of  a  bystander 
"  if  board  could  not  be  obtained  in  Lawrence,  and  hinted,  in  pretty 
plain  terms,  that  he  should  prefer  to  live  where  there  was  less 
whiskey,  and  men  of  less  ruffianly  look.  When  the  boat  reached 
the  landing,  at  Kansas  city,  a  large  number  of  the  Missourians 
went  on  to  meet  the  governor,  and  introduced  themselves  to  him 
as  "  Border  Ruffians."  A  carriage  was  soon  sent  over  from 
Westport,  to  convey  him  thither.  So,  in  the  course  of  his  rule  in 
Kansas,  we  shall  see  what  we  shall  see. 

4tk.  —  Emigration  again  begins  to  pour  into  the  territory. 
During  the  last  two  months  there  has  been  little  in  this  part  of 
the  country.  Cholera  has  raged  on  the  river,  and  summer 
heats  have  been  too  great  for  any  comfort  in  travelling ;  but 
now  the  prairies  are  again  dotted  with  white-covered  wagons  of 
the  western  emigrant.  They  come  bringing  everything  with 
them  in  their  wagons,  their  furniture,  provisions,  and  their  families. 
Their  stock,  also,  is  driven  with  the  teams.  Their  wagons  to 
them  are  a  travelling  home ;  many  of  them  having  a  stove  set, 
with  pipe  running  through  the  top.  They  often  travel  far  into 
the  territory;  it  matters  to  them  little  how  far,  so  that  they  get 
a  location  which  pleases  them.  Then  they  build  a  cabin,  and, 
with  a  fixed  habitation,  they  will  become  the  strength  and  sinew 
of  the  country.  Being  used  to  the  emergencies  and  the  hard 
ships  of  pioneer  life,  Kansas  will  depend  upon  them  mostly,  in 
this  early  settlement,  for  the  ground  work,  the  substratum,  upon 
which  to  build  up  a  glorious  new  state.  While  they,  for  the  most 
part,  settle  in  the  country,  and  will  gather  into  their  garners  of 
the  golden  treasures  of  the  rich  and  fertile  soil,  eastern  cap 
ital  will  form  a  nucleus,  around  which  the  young,  the  adventur 
ous,  the  enterprising,  will  gather,  and  new  cities,  new  towns,  will 
spring  up  with  rapid  growth,  emulating  in  thrift  and  intelligence 
those  of  the  old  states. 

Another  street  broil  occurred  to-day.  The  Blue  Lodge  has 
decided  to  make  an  attack  upon  Lawrence  before  two  months  are 


KANSAS   LAWS — GOV.    SHANNON.  89 

past ;  so  one  of  its  members  informs  a  gentleman  of  our  acquaint 
ance.  Whiskey-drinkers  in  this  country  are  quite  apt  to  di 
vulge  secrets. 

6th.  —  Some  gentlemen  from  Wisconsin  have  just  arrived  with 
their  families,  and  two  men,  whom  they  hired  in  Missouri ;  one  of 
them  is  a  Missourian,  the  other  a  free  black.  Scarcely  had  they 
arrived  in  Lawrence  before  Dr.  Wood  called  upon  them,  and, 
after  a  good  deal  of  needless  bluster,  demanded  that  the  free  pa 
pers  should  be  shown  him.  This  the  negro  did.  As  the  design 
was  to  create  disturbance,  and  the  free  papers  putting  an  end  to 
this  being  done  under  any  show  of  legality,  his  rage  found"  vent 
in  threats  that  the  "  negro  should  be  thrown  into  the  river,  unless 
he  returned  to  Missouri."  However,  there  is  sufficient  love  of 
justice,  in  Lawrence,  to  prevent  any  violence  being  done  to  any 
of  its  quiet  citizens,  be  they  white  or  black. 

The  weather  is,  indeed,  most  lovely.  Shadows  lie  over  the 
whole  landscape,  painting  the  prairie  in  green,  from  the  lightest 
to  the  darkest  shade.  The  music  of  the  hay-cutters,  with  their 
large  mowing-machines,  has  for  days  chimed  in  with  the  noise  of 
many  hammers,  the  cheerful  voice  of  the  teamsters,  and  the  glad 
carol  of  singing-birds. 

The  appearance  of  the  hay-makers  is  most  novel,  as  they  ride 
in  among  the  tall  grass,  higher  than  their  heads  in  many  places, 
and  bearing  now  a  beautiful  tasseled  blossom  of  red,  with 
yellow  stamens,  being  seated  upon  their  mowers  as  comfortably  as 
when  riding  in  a  buggy. 

1th.  —  The  gentlemen  with  whom  the  free  negro  came  have 
hired  a  claim  about  two  miles  from  town,  and  moved  out.  No 
attempts  were  made,  last  night,  to  carry  out  the  threats  of  the 
pro-slavery  men.  To-night,  however,  we  heard  of  loads  of  people 
going  out  to  the  claim,  and  shots  fired.  The  facts  are,  simply, 
the  Hungarian  doctor,  wishing  to  exhibit  his  prowess,  and  prove 
his  bravery,  as  our  people  have  invariably  suggested  that  so 
much  rolling  up  of  sleeves,  and  baring  of  the  bosom,  inviting  an 
attack,  was  only  the  result  of  cowardice,  selected  this  opportu 
nity  for  a  display  of  valor.  Armed  with  gun  and  pistols,  he 
took  the  route  for  the  claim.  Evans,  the  young  Missourian, 
8* 


90  KANSAS. 

with  whom  the  negro  was  "  raised,"  and  whom  he  says  he  will 
protect,  at  all  hazards,  came  in  town  with  a  team.  Two  of  our 
citizens,  who  knew  the  deadly  intent  with  which  Dr.  Schareff  left 
town,  asked  a  ride  with  Evans,  as  he  returned  home,  and  they 
soon  overtook  the  belligerent  pill-pedler,  who  was  puffing  along  in 
hot  haste,  as  though  empires  were  wavering  in  the  balance  at 
each  moment's  delay.  As  the  cart  passed,  he  asked  for  a  ride, 
and  sat  in  front,  taking  no  notice  of  those  behind.  Presently, 
Evans  asked  him  "  where  he  was  going;  "  to  which  he  replied,  "  he 
was  going  hunting,"  which  seemed  a  little  singular,  at  this  time 
of  night.  However,  no  comments  were  made.  After  some  little 
desultory  talk,  the  valiant  doctor  said,  "  I  believe  there  is  a 
negro  out  this  way,  and  I  am  going  there."  Evans  quickly  replied, 
"  It  is  just  where  I  am  going." 

Doctor  Schareff,  supposing  his  errand  must  be  like  his  own,  com 
menced,  at  once,  a  vile  tirade  upon  the  negro,  and  avowed  his 
intention  to  kill  him.  Evans  heard  him  a  while ;  then,  with  decis 
ive  tones,  ordered  him  to  give  him  his  pistols,  which  he  did, 
unhesitatingly,  and,  trembling  with  fear,  dropped  his  gun  upon  the 
bottom  of  the  cart.  Evans  then  commanded  him  to  go  on  and 
state  his  real  sentiments.  His  plaintive  "  Excuse  me,"  in  broken 
English,  gained  him  no  reprieve.  He  was  obliged,  while  the  tears 
were  coursing  down  his  cheeks,  to  talk,  or  be  silent,  at  the  bid 
ding  of  young  Evans.  At  one  time  he  commanded  him  to  say, 
"I  eat  my  words."  His  sobbing  "Excuse  me"  availed  nothing, 
and  upon  the  threat  of  "  I  '11  shoot  you,"  the  same  he  had  so  often 
used  to  others,  he  repeated,  "  I  '11  eat  my  words."  They  soon 
arrived  at  the  claim,  and  Evans,  commanding  him  to  be  seated 
by  the  side  of  the  innocent  object  of  much  tirade  and  excite 
ment,  said,  quite  proudly,  "  The  negro  is  much  the  better  looking 
of  the  two." 

%th. —  The  summer,  for  shortness,  has  indeed  been  without  pre 
cedent.  How  we  long  for  the  good  old  days  of  childhood  to 
come  back,  when  a  half-hour  seemed  a  month,  and  the  intervening 
time,  between  Sunday  and  Sunday,  an  age !  Now  birth-days 
and  annual  festivals  scarcely  knell  their  departure  ere  they 


KANSAS   LAWS — GOV.  SHANNON.  91 

• 

return.  Would  there  be  such  a  crowding  of  duties  then  ?  One 
grows  weary  of  doing ;  also  of  leaving  duties  undone. 

The  loveliness  of  the  weather,  the  few  months  I  have  been  here, 
has  never  been  surpassed.  Although  the  heat  often  rises  high,  a 
fresh  breeze  makes  it  in  reality  seem  much  less.  I  have  never 
passed  a  summer  with  so  little  inconvenience  from  the  heat,  and 
have  heard  many  people  from  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  more 
northern  states,  say  the  same.  Coming  from  the  bleak  and  hilly 
north,  where  four  months  are  all  we  boast  of  genial  weather,  free 
from  frosts  and  north-east  winds,  —  where  we  cherish  with  utmost 
care  our  garden  flowers,  protecting  them  from  summer's  heat  and 
winter's  cold,  —  where,  of  wild  flowers,  we  have  many  a  time  re 
turned  rich,  after  a  long  tramp,  with  short-stemmed  violets,  one 
sided  dandelions,  and  blear-eyed  daisies,  —  to  this  country,  where 
charming  weather  predominates  from  early  spring  until  the  new 
year  comes,  displacing  the  old,  we  have  grown  wild  in  our  enthu 
siasm  of  this  beautiful  land.  We  have  revelled  in  flowers  grow 
ing  under  our  windows  and  at  our  doors,  which,  with  much 
tending,  we  have  tempted  to  bloom  meagerly  in  garden-borders 
and  green-houses  in  New  England,  such  as  verbenas, — velvet  and 
sweet-scented,  —  petunias,  fox-gloves,  phlox,  larkspurs,  spider- 
wort,  etc.,  an  endless  variety. 

In  the  pillared  clouds  of  morning  and  evening,  when  the  golden 
and  sapphire  mingle,  we  are  reminded  of  the  burnished  gates,  and 
the  streets  inlaid  with  pearl,  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 

While  watching  the  changing,  flitting  shadows,  which  at  one 
moment  make  the  distant  landscape  of  a  deep  blue,  and  then 
of  a  brown  color,  with  little  green  spots  like  oases  in  the  desert, 
life's  changes  have  been  typified  in  the  shadows  and  sunny  light, 
and  we  have  grown  wiser,  treasuring  the  lesson. 

Qth.  —  Near  the  close  of  an  unusually  quiet  Sabbath,  we  were 
attracted  by  the  hasty,  furious  riding  of  a  horseman  upon  the 
prairie  going  toward  town.  He  soon  returned,  and  others  followed 
in  squads  of  three  and  four.  We  heard  the  merry  laugh,  and 
occasional  snapping  of  a  gun.  They  were  going  out  to  the  claim 
where  the  hunted  negro  lives.  It  was  the  hour  for  the  meeting 
here ;  but,  owing  to  the  excitement,  few  came.  A  lady,  who  came 


92  KANSAS. 

4 

from  that  neighborhood,  gave  us  the  fact.  A  wagon-load  of 
pro-slavery  men  about  Lawrence,  with  some  Missourians,  had 
gathered  at  Mr.  R.'s  to  take  or  kill  the  negro.  Some  person  on  a 
near  claim,  seeing  the  crowd,  and  suspecting  the  design,  had  hastily 
come  to  him  for  help.  Those  we  saw  passing  out  were  some  of 
the  citizens.  When  the  wagon-load  of  the  mob  arrived,  the  negro 
was  out  on  the  prairie,  driving  in  the  cattle.  The  gentleman  of 
the  house  told  them  if  they  wished  to  fight  him  they  could  do  so ; 
but  they  could  not  have  the  negro.  They  left  with  threats  of 
vengeance,  and  aid  from  Missouri. 

~L4tk.  —  Gov.  Shannon  passed  within  a  mile  of  Lawrence,  to 
day,  on  his  way  to  Lecompton  —  a  little  settlement  some  fourteen 
miles  above  here.  A  few  little  cabins  are  erected  in  a  broken 
country ;  but  its  greatness  lies  in  the  future,  as  the  Shawnee  legis 
lators  have  designated  this  site  as  the  seat  of  government.  It  is 
also  the  place  where  Samuel  J.  Jones,  postmaster  at  Westport, 
Missouri,  and  sheriff  of  Douglas  County,  Kansas  Territory,  has, 
in  most  wanton  manner,  burned  down  the  houses  of  some  free-state 
settlers.  Gov.  Shannon  passed  by  us  entirely,  living  in  the  larg 
est  settlement  in  the  territory.  Having  received  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship  from  Missouri,  what  can  we  of  the  territory  expect? 
He  evidently  does  not  desire  the  acquaintance  of  those  whom  he 
was  sent  to  govern ;  but  is  himself  to  be  governed  by  the  border 
towns  in  Missouri. 

15tk.  —  Gov.  Shannon  returned  to-night.  He  stopped  a  mo 
ment  at  the  Cincinnati  House,  and  was  waited  upon  by  one  of  our 
leading  citizens,  with  the  request  that  he  would  come  out  and 
meet  the  people.  He  declined ;  he  must  go  four  miles  further  to 
night,  arid  his  suite  cannot  be  detained.  The  offer  was  at  once 
made  to  carry  him  to  Franklin,  where  his  party  propose  remain 
ing  over  night,  after  he  should  have  been  introduced  to  our  people, 
and  have  exchanged  mutual  greetings.  This,  also,  he  declined; 
and,  as  he  entered  his  carriage  to  drive  away,  smothered  groans 
struck  on  his  ear,  —  the  natural  language  of  an  indignation  to 
wards  a  man  so  weak,  so  pusillanimous,  —  a  man  sent  to  govern 
a  people,  and  refusing  to  meet  that  people  on  the  most  common 
terms  of  civility.  We  deprecate  this  expression  of  feeling,  know- 


KANSAS   LAWS  —  GOV.   SHANNON.  93 

ing  that  to  bear  is  better  than  to  retort,  and  to  the  office  we 
should  try  to  pay  that  respect  of  which  the  man  plainly  shows  he 
is  not  worthy.  With  the  Rev.  Thomas  Johnson,  of  the  Shawnee 
Mission  School,  a  slaveholder,  he  will  pursue,  on  the  morrow  (Sun 
day),  his  way  thither. 

IQtk. — A  delegate  convention  was  held  at  Topeka  to-day  to 
take  into  consideration  the  formation  of  a  state  constitution. 
The  convention  decided,  after  full  discussion,  to  call  a  constitu 
tional  convention,  to  be  held  on  the  22d  of  October,  at  Topeka, 
and  organized  a  provisional  government  to  superintend  the  election 
of  delegates.  The  executive  committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  J. 
H.  Lane,  Chairman ;  J.  R.  Goodwin,  Secretary ;  G.  W.  Smith,  C. 
R.  Holliday,  C.  P.  Schuyler,  M.  J.  Parrott,  and  G.  W.  Brown. 

Previous  to  this  convention,  the  mass  convention,  held  at  Law 
rence  August  15th,  had  resulted  in  a  call  for  this  of  the  19th,  at 
Topeka.  Also  a  delegate  convention  of  the  free-state  party  was 
held  at  Big  Springs,  September  5th,  to  fix  a  day  for  the  election 
of  a  delegate  to  Congress,  and  to  nominate  a  candidate.  At  this 
convention,  the  9th  of  October  was  named  for  the  election,  instead 
of  the  2d,  the  day  fixed  by  the  Shawnee  Mission  Legislature,  and 
Ex-Governor  Reeder  was  nominated  for  candidate.  This  conven 
tion,  by  resolution,  referred  the  matter  of  a  state  organization  to 
the  Topeka  convention,  which  was  to  represent  all  parties. 

22d.  —  For  the  last  few  days  nothing  had  been  thought  of  but 
company.  The  house  was  full  all  day,  and  nearly  all  night. 
There  are  also  continued  rumors  of  new  invasions,  which  disturb 
us  but  little. 

Yesterday  Mrs.  W.  and  I  went  out  to  Mr.  N.'s.  He  has  a 
most  lovely  location  two  miles  from  town,  and  himself  and  wife 
are  well  pleased  with  their  Kansas  home.  Last  evening  there  was 
a  melon  party  at  the  hall,  at  which  there  was  a  general  gathering 
of  old  and  young. 

About  this  time  the  people  of  Lawrence  entered  into  a  self 
defensive  organization.  The  street  broils  and  outrages  were 
becoming  so  frequent  their  lives  were  in  daily  peril.  As  soon  as 
the  organization  was  complete,  and  their  badges  gave  evidence  of 
a  secret  society,  the  outrages  ceased. 


94  KANSAS. 


.  —  Rode  down  to  Fish's,  after  tea,  with  the  doctor,  who 
went  upon  business.  There  was  quite  a  gathering  there,  and  one 
of  our  western  orators  was  making  a  speech.  He  said  repeatedly, 
"  I  have  saw,"  which  is  their  frequent  mode  of  expression.  On 
our  way  back,  we  passed  several  parties  camped  by  the  way-side, 
sitting  or  lying  in  the  light  of  the  bright  camp-fire,  while  the  sen 
tinel  leaned  against  a  tree.  We  passed  others,  where  they  had  no 
fires,  but  slept  in  and  under  the  wagon,  on  the  bare  ground.  The 
air  of  this  country  is  so  pure  that  persons  do  not  take  cold  from 
lying  on  the  ground.  Doctor  is  tired  with  his  various  and  constant 
cares,  and  sleeps  sitting  in  the  bottom  of  the  carriage,  while  I 
drive  on  homewards.  It  was  eleven  o'clock,  and  the  moon  was 
shining  brightly. 

30^.  —  A  gentleman  called,  and  inquired  for  doctor.  On  be 
ing  told  that  he  was  absent,  he  inquired  for  me.  After  saying  to 
me,  "  Doctor  is  not  at  home,"  to  which  I  assent,  he  said,  "  We 
have  some  news."  A  long  pause  followed,  in  which  a  thousand 
fears  and  anxieties  rushed  upon  me.  At  last,  by  dint  of  ques 
tions,  the  following  was  the  substance  of  the  "  news  "  I  was  able 
to  gather  : 

Two  regiments  of  men  are  on  their  way  to  Lawrence  —  one 
thousand  men  in  each  regiment.  They  have  the  gallows  erected 
upon  which  to  hang  Grov.  Reeder,  and  the  rifle  loaded  with  which 
to  shoot  Col.  Lane. 

I  raise  doubts  as  to  the  probability  of  such  a  thing  ;  but  he  is 
sure,  having  been  "  specially  informed  by  one  acquainted  with 
their  movements,  and  who  saw  them  as  far  on  their  way  as  the 
Shawnee  meeting-house." 

In  compliance  with  his  urgent  request,  1  promise  to  tell  doctor 
the  moment  he  comes,  that  "  he  may  go  down  and  advise  with 
him."  The  moment  he  is  gone  we  have  a  hearty  laugh,  at  the 
expense  of  the  timid  man,  whose  courage  consists  in  brave-sounding 
words,  and  would  willingly  be  at  some  personal  risk  to  witness  his 
fright  at  a  visitation  from  the  Missourians.  Some  people  are  so 
sure  that  large  numbers  of  Missourians  are  getting  ready  to  attack 
Lawrence  on  Tuesday,  that  messengers  are  sent  out  to  count 
the  wagons.  They  return  saying  all  is  quiet. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER    OF   DOW. 

Oct.  ~L4:th.  —  A  beautiful  day.  The  air  is  hazy  from  the  many 
fires  on  the  prairie,  which  are  burning  day  and  night.  They  are 
a  grand  and  sublime  sight  when  spreading  over  a  large  tract,  the 
tall  grass  waving  with  every  breeze,  now  fiercely  blazing,  and  now 
with  graceful  undulating  motion,  looking  indeed  like  a  "  sea  of 
flame,"  when  the  fiery  billows  surge  and  dash  fearfully  ;  or  when 
the  winds  are  still,  like  an  unruffled,  quiet  burning  lake.  Doctor 
went  to  Wakarusa  again  to  visit  some  sick  friends.  Word  had 
been  sent  us  of  a  new  road,  and  we  attempted  to  find  it.  After 
leaving  the  old  road  and  riding  some  distance  across  the  prairie, 
where  there  was  no  track,  and  through  fields  partly  fenced,  we 
came  to  a  line  of  timber,  where  all  our  directions  failed,  and  the 
straight  way  seemed  wholly  lost.  As  we  were  halting  to  decide 
upon  our  course,  a  woman  came  toward  us  from  a  little  cabin  not 
far  off.  She  directed  us  to  a  little  foot-path  through  the  timber, 
and  we  followed  it,  turning  this  way  and  that  to  avoid  crushing 
the  wheels  against  the  trees,  and  at  every  moment  bending  low  to 
save  our  heads  from  striking  the  huge  branches.  After  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  of  such  travelling,  we  were  at  the  crossing.  And  such 
a  crossing  !  If  the  old  crossing  was  poor,  this  was  so  in  a  super 
lative  sense,  so  very  steep  and  abrupt.  We  went  into  the  water 
with  a  lurch,  almost  tearing  the  body  of  the  carriage  from  the 
wheels.  A  man  came  to  the  opposite  bank,  which  was  some  twelve 
feet  high,  and  not  lacking  much  of  being  perpendicular,  and  by 
motions,  and  a  few  words  we  could  hear,  made  us  understand  that 
we  must  keep  down  the  river  a  little  further,  in  the  attempt  to 
cross.  Coming  to  the  other  shore,  there  was  a  little  bank  about 


96  KANSAS. 

a  foot  high,  then  a  level  broad  enough  for  the  wagon  to  stand 
upon,  before  reaching  the  perpendicular  hill.  The  horse  was 
frightened,  and  unwilling  to  take  us  out  of  the  water.  Doctor 
jumped  out  to  the  shore,  and  I  was  gathering  strength  for  a  simi 
lar  leap,  when  one  foot  broke  through  the  bottom  of  the  buggy, 
and  I  was  fairly  caught.  However,  as  the  doctor  was  holding 
both  my  hands,  I  did  not  go  into  the  water.  The  horse,  finding 
himself  without  a  load,  walked  out  of  the  river.  A  consultation 
was  then  held  with  the  man  on  the  bank,  as  to  the  probability  of 
getting  to  the  summit  with  the  carriage.  He  said  he  had  never 
seen  any  carriages  go  up,  but  oxen  had  been.  By  leading  the 
horse  and  pushing  the  carriage,  the  height  was  gained,  while  I 
clambered  up  by  a  winding  path,  over  huge  logs,  and  whatever 
came  in  my  way.  We  returned  to  L.  by  still  another  route. 

On  the  ninth  of  October  the  election  for  territorial  delegate  to 
Congress,  and  delegates  to  the  Constitutional  Convention,  was 
held.  In  Lawrence,  five  hundred  and  fifty-seven  votes  were  polled 
for  Gov.  Reeder. 

21st.  —  The  weather  is  getting  frosty,  and  reminds  us  that 
bland  airs  and  summer  skies  do  not  always  last.  Mr.  W.  arrived 
from  Boston.  He  has  had  a  long  and  tedious  trip  through  Mis 
souri  by  cars,  boat  and  stage,  and  has  had  some  conversation  with 
the  people.  In  fact,  he  has  seen  something  of  the  ruffians. 

23d.  —  Mr.  W.  and  Mr.  P.  return  from  Topeka  nearly  frozen. 
Mr.  W.  is  much  pleased  with  the  country,  though  he  sees  it  under 
most  unfavorable  circumstances.  Business  at  home  makes  his 
stay  here  very  short.  He  amuses  us  with  his  report  of  the 
crowded  state  of  the  boarding-houses  at  Topeka.  Some  dozen  or 
more  sleeping  in  an  unfinished  room,  in  berths  like  those  on 
boats,  while  the  cold  was  most  severe.  The  place  left  for  a 
window  was  wholly  open,  thus  giving  a  free  circulation  to  the 
frosty  air. 

The  Constitutional  Convention,  held  at  Topeka,  was  called 
together  at  one  o'clock,  Oct.  22,  by  J.  A.  Wakefield.  A  quorum 
not  being  present,  the  convention  adjourned  until  Wednesday 
morning.  The  convention  was  called  to  order.  Prayer  by  Rev. 
H.  S.  Burgess.  Roll  called  by  J.  K.  Goodin.  Thirty  members 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT MURDER   OF   DOW.  97 

responded.  S.  C.  Smith,  of  Lawrence,  was  elected  secretary;  J. 
H.  Lane,  president.  The  oath  of  office  was  administered  to  the 
president  and  the  several  members  by  J.  A.  Wakefield.  liev. 
Mr.  Burgess  chosen  chaplain ;  Mclntire,  door-keeper ;  Lyman 
Farnsworth,  sergeant-at-arms  ;  S.  F.  Tappan,  reporter  for  the 
Herald  of  Freedom ;  John  Speer,  reporter  for  the  Kansas  Trib 
une ;  E.  C.  K.  Garrey,  reporter  for  the  Kansas  Freeman;  J. 
Kedpath,  reporter  for  the  Missouri  Democrat. 

Nov.  15th.  —  Ilainy  and  very  chilly.  A  military  supper  in  the 
evening.  For  two  or  three  days  men  have  been  out  in  the  woods 
hunting  game ;  and  to-night  a  large  number  of  our  citizens  have 
gathered  to  partake  of  the  supper,  and  join  in  the  general  festivi 
ties  of  the  hour.  Notwithstanding  the  rain,  the  mud  being  over 
shoes  in  depth,  at  an  early  hour  the  large  dining-hall  of  the  hotel 
was  full  of  people,  our  neighbors  and  friends,  while  many  came 
from  miles  away.  A  piano  stood  at  the  upper  end  of  the  room, 

—  parlor  and  dining-hall  being  thrown  into  one,  —  and  over  the 
arch  of  the  folding  doors  waved  the  "  star-spangled  banner,"  pre 
sented  to  the  military  companies  on   the  fourth  of  July.      The 
tables  occupying  the  length  of  the  hall,  in  double  rows,  were  loaded 
with  wild  game,  rabbits,  squirrels,  prairie-chickens,  turkeys,  and 
one  porker,  —  whether  native  of  the  country,  deponent  saith  not, 

—  while  cakes  of  every  variety,  with  pastry,  grace  the  table.    All 
this  cooking  was  done  by  one  lady,  —  one  of  the  earliest  settlers, 

—  who  has  the  Yankee  adaptedness  of  character  to  the  circum 
stances  in  which  she  is  placed.  It  was  a  New  England  gathering, 
though  some,  by  their  dress,  tinsel  ornaments,  or  their  peculiarity 
of  speech,  showed  that  their  home  was  further  west.  Some  of  the 
latter  were  asking  continually,  "  When  will  the  supper  be  ready? 
If  there  is  going  to  be  anything  to  eat,  let  us  have  it  now."  That 
our  people  are  eminently  social,  the  frequent  public  gatherings 
here  and  at  Topeka  will  bear  witness.  A  person  coming  in  to 
mingle  in  the  scene  would  never  realize  he  was  in  a  newly  settled 
country,  or  in  a  town  scarcely  a  year  old. 

18th. — We  heard  yesterday  that  Mr.  C.,  who  for  several  weeks 
has  been  very  ill,  but  had  partially  recovered,  is  taken  down  again 
with  symptoms  of  fever  and  ague.      The  weather  is  exceedingly 
9 


98  KANSAS. 

cold,  and  he  is  in  a  little  "  shake  "  cabin,  where  the  wind  creeps 
in  at  every  crevice,  playing  hide-and-seek  with  the  papers  pasted 
on  the  walls.  The  house  has  but  one  room,  beside  a  little  attic, 
which  is  used  for  kitchen,  dining-room,  bed-room,  sick-room,  and 
general  receiving-room.  Worn  out  with  Mr.  C.'s  long  illness,  and 
that  of  her  little  daughter,  the  lady,  who  has  watched  over  him 
with  a  mother's  gentleness,  is  also  ill.  I  send  to  Mr.  C.  to  come 
to  our  house  if  he  can  be  brought ;  and  soon  a  carriage  drives  up 
with  the  shadow,  pale  and  ethereal,  which  sickness  has  left  of  Mr. 
C.,  wrapped  up  in  coats  to  the  number  of  three,  with  comforters 
and  other  articles  to  keep  the  cold  from  striking  his  attenuated 
frame.  He  says,  in  his  own  peculiar  way,  "  I  thought,  Mrs.  R., 
I  would  never  be  here  again ;  but  it  is  delightful,  and  I  feel  better 

now." 

The  sun  was  shining  pleasantly  in  at  the  windows,  the  fire  was 
crackling  in  the  stove,  spreading  a  genial  warmth  throughout  the 
room,  and,  seated  in  the  nice  large  rocker  drawn  up  before  it,  Mr. 
C.  could  look  out  upon  the  beautiful  country  miles  east  and  south, 
and,  in  his  enthusiastic  love  of  nature,  would  forget  his  own  ills. 
It  was  pleasant  to  see  the  effect  of  physical  comfort.  Now,  with 
outward  cheerfulness,  came  inner  strength  and  courage.  Naturally 
of  very  slender  constitution,  with  too  much  mental  power  for  the 
physical,  with  energy  and  inherent  love  for  freedom  and  justice, 
Mr.  C.  has,  in  working  for  the  cause  here,  gone  beyond  his 
strength,  and  pays  the  penalty  in  a  wasted  frame  and  general 
prostration.  There  has  been  a  good  deal  of  sickness  in  the  coun 
try  this  fall,  —  slow  fever  and  chills.  They  prevail  mostly  in  tho 
low  grounds  near  the  rivers.  We  hear  from  some  settlements, 
especially  from  those  south  on  the  Ncosbo,  that  sickness  has  laid 
its  heavy  hand  on  the  strongest,  and  scarcely  any  have  escaped 
the  paralyzing  blow.  So  far  as  we  can  learn,  exposures,  either 
necessary  or  unavoidable,  have  been  the  cause. 

The  colony  at  Hampden  has  suffered  most  deplorably.  The 
facts,  as  given  me  by  one  of  the  residents,  are  these  :  There  were 
one  hundred  members  of  the  colony,  men,  women  and  children, 
when  they  arrived  in  the  territory.  When  the  town  site  was  laid 
off,  there  were  over  sixty  men  to  receive  their  apportionment  of 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER   OF   DOW.  99 

lots.  They  came  in  April,  and  in  order  to  provide  for  the  winter 
store,  they  thought  first  of  all  it  was  necessary  to  get  the  seed 
into  the  ground,  they  living  meanwhile  in  tents.  All  their  ener 
gies,  forgetful  of  present  necessities,  seemed  to  be  directed  to  their 
future  good.  Health  and  valuable  lives  were  sacrificed  thereby. 
There  was  no  saw-mill,  and  whatever  houses  they  made  at  last 
were  of  logs  and  "  shakes."  There  were  very  few  springs  in  the 
vicinity,  consequently  they  drank  of  the  river  water,  which  is  slow 
and  sluggish,  and,  when  the  dry  season  came,  was  covered  with  a 
green  substance  found  upon  all  stagnant  water,  although  good 
water  could  be  obtained  by  digging  twenty-five  feet,  as  one  or  two 
wells  proved. 

With  sickness  of  body  came  heart-sickness,  and  a  yearning  for 
pleasant  New  England  homes  ;  and  most  of  those  who  lived 
through  such  discouragements  either  went  to  other  settlements 
or  returned. 

At  Osawattomie,  situated  near  the  junction  of  the  Potawattornie 
and  Osage,  in  a  pleasant,  though  rather  low  country,  fever  has 
burned  up  the  blood  of  many,  leaving  wan  cheeks  and  livid  lips. 
Yet,  every  one  is  free  to  acknowledge  that  no  country  has  a  purer 
atmosphere,  or  more  healthful  climate.  In  cases  of  sickness  in 
Lawrence,  they  have,  so  far  as  I  know,  been  owing  to  some  gross 
outrage  of  the  physical  laws  of  our  being,  some  unwarranted  over- 
exertion  of  energies  either  mental  or  physical ;  a  knowledge  of 
such  undue  effort  being  confessed  to  by  the  individual,  with  the 
expectation  that  sickness  would  follow. 

The  climate,  or  the  country,  should  bear  no  part  of  the  blame. 
It  is  a  question  whether,  in  the  necessary  exposures  of  our  new 
homes,  the  never-ceasing  labors  incident  to  such  a  situation,  we 
are  as  guilty  as  those  who  court  sickness  in  the  states,  by  rash 
violation  of  the  laws  which  govern  us. 

The  cholera  raged  for  a  time  upon  the  Wakarusa,  for  which 
drinking  of  the  stagnant  water  in  the  river's  bed,  the  result  of  an 
unprecedented  drouth  of  ten  months,  and  in  many  cases  a  sad 
want  of  personal  cleanliness,  was  the  prolific  cause.  About  the 
same  time,  a  gentleman  near  the  same  region  walked  into  Law 
rence  in  the  heat  of  the  day,  with  perspiration  starting  from  every 


100  KANSAS. 

pore,  and  blood  at  fever  heat.  He  plunged  into  the  river  for  a 
cooling  bath,  remaining  some  time.  A  pleasant  coolness  was  in 
duced;  but  the  blood  was  driven  back  from  the  extremities,  to 
course  madly  about  the  internal  organs.  Soon  after  eating  a 
hearty  supper,  he  retired.  The  awaking,  after  a  short,  restless 
sleep,  came  with  bitter  pains,  and  life-crushing  agonies.  Death 
in  a  few  hours  closed  the  scene.  The  stricken  wife,  coming  to 
gladden  his  home,  heard  of  this  sudden  blighting  of  her  hopes,  as 
she  reached  Kansas  city.  On  the  Missouri  river,  too,  sickness 
has  ruled  the  hour  ;  and  some  who  bade  their  friends  good-by  in 
the  old,  dearly  loved  home,  to  seek  a  new  one  beneath  the  sunny 
skies  of  Kansas,  found  a  grave  on  those  dreary  Missouri  shores. 
They  call  the  sickness  such  as  the  water  produces ;  we  call  it  the 
result  of  their  ungoverned  appetites.  The  tables  upon  the  boats 
are  loaded  with  every  delicacy  that  man  can  invent.  Meats  with 
rich  gravies,  the  richest  of  pastries  and  cakes,  jellies,  ices,  fruit 
and  nuts,  tempt  the  palate.  Can  any  stomach  bear  a  mingling 
together  of  all  these,  and  give  no  sign  of  ill  usage,  no  cry  for  a 
reprieve?  Yet  many  are  the  instances  where  such  overtasking 
of  life's  energies  has  resulted  in  a  brief  sickness,  and  a  burial  in 
the  waters.  Others  have  lived  to  reach  the  territory  in  time  to 
die  there. 

One  man  went  on  to  one  of  the  boats  with  a  large  bunch  of  rad 
ishes  in  his  hand.  The  captain  warned  him,  it  being  the  cholera 
season,  but  he  said  he  "  could  eat  them,  or  anything  else,  without 
danger."  But  ere  the  morning  sun  arose,  the  death  damps  were 
heavy  on  his  brow,  and  the  eye  recognized  no  longer  the  friends, 
though  strangers,  who  administered  to  his  fast-failing  necessities. 
Another  man,  who  was  ill  upon  the  boat,  reached  Kansas  city, 
and  there  drank  very  freely  of  ice-water,  not  heeding  the  sugges 
tions  of  others  who  thought  it  unsafe.  The  same  afternoon  he 
walked  out  eight  miles,  and  back  into  the  country.  The  next  day 
he  walked  out  again.  He  was  taken  most  violently  ill.  The  next 
evening,  at  the  sunset  hour,  the  tall  trees  in  the  leafy  wood  were 
waving  over  his  western  grave,  and  the  moaning  winds  sang  his 
requiem. 

The  poor,  homesick  youth,  whose  vision  has  been  bounded  by 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER   OF   DOW.  101 

the  smoke  of  their  mother's  kitchen  chimney,  go  East  again  with 
direful  stories  of  the  dread  poison  in  the  Missouri  waters,  and  that 
there  is  death  in  the  springs  of  Kansas.  Some  persons  do  not 
drink  the  water  clear,  but  add  brandy,  or  drink  Kochelle  powders  ; 
as  if  the  drink  which  God  provided  for  his  creatures  was  not  as 
health-giving  as  the  substitutes  of  man,  making  their  wisdom 
greater  than  his ! 

It  is  a  fact  that  in  Kansas  city,  within  the  short  space  of  two 
hours'  time,  ten  young  men  died,  —  victims  to  cholera,  the  papers 
stated.  They  did  not  state  that  they  were  most  dissolute  and 
intemperate,  ready  for  the  sickle  when  the  reaper  came. 

Many  statements  have  appeared  in  eastern  papers,  from  the 
pens  of  some  fresh  from  the  counting-rooms  of  their  employers, 
or  the  school-room,  and  unfitted  either  by  nature  or  by  habit  to 
battle  with  life  in  its  stern  realities.  They  came  to  this  country, 
dazzled  by  the  lure  of  their  own  visionary  hopes,  which,  with  many 
people,  makes  all  in  the  distance  look  bright  and  golden,  but  the 
intervening  space  passed  over  has  the  same  dull  hue  of  the  last 
stand-point.  These  statements  wear  the  color  of  disappointment, 
with  a  sly  vein  of  revenge  upon  somebody  running  through  all ; 
a  bitterness,  and  a  general  tone  of  falsehood.  The  little  discom 
forts  by  the  way,  of  crowded  cars  and  overloaded  boats,  with  per 
haps  a  bed  upon  the  cabin  floor,  instead  of  the  private  chamber 
with  its  nice  appliances  for  comfort  they  have  left,  cause  the 
bright  vision  to  which  distance  lent  enchantment  to  grow  suddenly 
dim.  They  reach  Kansas  city,  and  find  the  levee  a  perfect  crowd 
of  men  and  horses,  Mexican  drivers  from  Santa  Fe,  with  their 
mules  half  wild,  and  always  headstrong  —  each  man  looking  out 
for  himself,  as  the  one  thing  especially  uppermost  in  his  mind, 
not  mindful  of  the  attractions  these  kid-gloved,  gaiter-booted, 
jewelled  gentry  display.  They  look  upon  the  brick  walls  of 
stores  and  warehouses  along  the  levee,  upon  which  the  sun  glares 
wildly,  and  upon  the  water,  where  the  reflection  gleams  and  glit 
ters,  and  at  length  reach  the  hotel  whose  rooms  are  already 
full  of  wearied  mothers  and  sick  children.  Where  will  our  dainty 
selves  find  rest?  is  a  question  anxiously  asked  by  them,  but  unan 
swered.  Shall  we  wonder,  then,  that  they  turn  a  lingering  look 
9* 


102  KANSAS. 

homeward,  unimpressed  as  they  are  with  the  reality,  that  life's 
mission  is  to  "  battle  and  be  strong?  "  When  they  find  no  softly- 
cushioned  car  ready  to  transport  them  to  the  little  town  of  Law 
rence,  to  which  distance  still  lends  a  charm,  and  if  the  stage  and 
hacks  are  full,  the  emigrant  wagons  alone  affording  a  passage, 
can  we  wonder  at  the  lengthening  of  their  wayworn  faces  ?  The 
hill  difficulty  is  to  be  surmounted,  and  stands  between  them  and 
the  end  of  their  journey,  like  a  towering  mountain.  Little  hearts, 
carried  along,  until  now,  upon  the  smooth  travelled  paths  which 
their  fathers  have  marked  out,  and  buoyed  above  deep  waters 
by  encouraging  words  of  doting  mammas  and  flattering  friends,  and 
lulled  into  silken  dreams  by  the  general  consenting  voice  of  society, 
that  life  has  in  it  nothing  "  real,"  nothing  "  earnest,"  save  to 
float  gayly  on  its  summer  tides,  —  where  is  your  courage  now  ? 
Where  is  your  hope  for  success  in  life  ?  Where  that  energy  which 
will  scale  mountains  amid  winter's  battling  snows  ?  Where, 
with  such  automatons  as  you,  would  have  been  the  world's  great 
men  —  her  Howards,  her  Newtons,  her  Washingtons,  or  her 
Napoleons  ? 

Some  of  these  poor  apologies  of  humanity  leave  directly  on  the 
next  boat,  on  a  home-bound  ticket.  As  an  excuse  for  the  shortness 
of  their  stay,  they  recapitulate  the  thousand-and-one  stories  which 
the  Missourians  repeat  to  many  emigrants ;  such  as  no  water,  no 
wood,  the  ground  parched,  and  cracked  open  in  large  seams,  the 
people  dying  of  starvation,  etc.  etc.  Some  others,  however,  a 
little  afraid  of  the  jests  which  would  meet  them  did  they  return 
with  the  old  story,  "  There  are  giants  in  the  land,"  make  a 
prodigious  effort,  and,  upon  a  springless  cart,  it  may  be,  reach 
Lawrence.  As  they  approach  the  little  town,  with  buildings  of 
wood  and  stone  erected  and  being  erected,  with  the  pioneer  build 
ings  thatched  (now  used  as  stables)  intermingled,  how  their  visions 
fade,  and  the  glittering  palaces  of  their  imaginations  fall !  The 
town  of  six  months'  existence  boasted  nothing  but  bare  comforts ; 
but  these  foolish  youths  write  home  how  they  have  to  sleep  upon 
the  floor,  with  a  buffalo  robe  only  between  them  and  the  cotton- 
wood  boards,  with  five  or  six  others  in  the  same  room ;  that  the 
windows  to  the  boarding-house  are  of  cloth  instead  of  glass ;  that 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER   OF   DOW.          108 

there  are  large  cracks  in  the  wall,  through  which  the  wind  and 
dust  blow ;  that  there  are  larger  cracks  in  the  floor  overhead, 
and  through  them  the  straw  falls  upon  the  table  below ;  that  but 
ter  is  scarce  ;  and  many  other  like  troubles,  which  make  them  say, 
in  vexation  of  spirit,  "  I  am  weary,  I  am  weary,  I  am  sick  of  this 
poor  life !  "  Does  any  one  need  further  evidence  that  they  are 
men  of  sense  ?  These  temporary  arrangements  were  the  growth 
of  the  hour.  They  were  not  intended  as  permanent  institutions, 
and  more  comfortable  dwellings  have  taken  their  place.  The 
Yankee  enterprise  and  thrift  which  remained  after  the  thorough 
sifting  of  the  early  spring,  in  spite  of  fear  of  cholera  and  lack  of 
general  comforts,  have  added  things  most  needed.  The  absence 
of  those  delicate  youths  who  needed  sofas  to  lounge  upon,  and 
silver  forks  for  their  especial  use,  is  the  greatest  blessing  of  all. 
A  new  country,  especially,  wants  no  drones  in  the  hive ;  and  in  a 
country  like  this,  and  in  this  age,  when  the  battle  is  for  freedom, 
and  the  hue  and  cry  of  our  enemies,  "  Death  to  the  Yankees  !  "  is 
ever  ringing  in  our  ears,  we  want  men,  and  not  creatures  claim 
ing  to  be  possessed  of  manliness,  who  have  not  enough  of  that 
spirit  to  be  willing,  for  freedom's  sake,  to  forego  some  trivial  com 
forts,  and,  like  the  fathers  of  76,  who  bore  the  severest  privations, 
bide  the  hour,  and  with  willing  hands  and  strong  hearts  aid  to 
make  this  country,  in  its  institutions  as  in  soil  and  climate,  the 
garden  of  the  world.  Where  would  have  been  the  liberties,  which, 
as  a  precious  heir-loom,  have  come  to  us,  had  our  fathers  been  of 
such  sickly,  such  squeamish  sensibility  ?  We  do  not  deny  there 
have  been  discomforts ;  but  what  new  country  was  ever  settled  with 
out  them  ?  The  people  of  Illinois,  in  times  of  low  water  on  the  Ohio, 
in  the  early  settlement  of  that  country,  have  had  nothing  to  eat 
but  bread  made  of  shorts  with  stewed  pumpkin.  In  Pennsylvania, 
with  no  over  supply  of  mills,  fifty  miles  often  being  the  shortest 
distance  to  one  in  running  order  in  low  water,  for  weeks  the 
early  settlers  lived  on  potatoes.  Did  not  our  great  grandmothers 
live  on  bean-porridge,  weave  all  the  clothing  for  the  family,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  gird  their  husbands  and  sons  for  the  battle,  out 
of  their  love  for  justice  and  right?  We  have  fallen  on  degen 
erate  times.  The  "lines  have  fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places ;" 


104  KANSAS. 

but  the  love  of  liberty  has  grown  weak.  A  sad  wailing  comes 
up  over  the  land  —  a  wailing  for  the  departed  spirit  of  '76. 

2lst.  —  Charles  Dow,  a  young  free-state  man  from  Ohio,  was 
killed  to-day  by  Coleman,  a  pro-slavery  man,  at  Hickory  Point. 
Some  dispute  had  arisen  about  a  claim,  and  Coleman  had  repeat 
edly  threatened  to  kill  Dow.  This  morning  Dow  went  to  a  black 
smith's  shop,  at  some  distance  from  Mr.  Branson's,  where  he 
boarded.  Mr.  Branson  proposed  he  should  take  his  gun  with 
him  as  a  means  of  protection,  but  he  declined  doing  so.  Having 
finished  his  business  at  the  shop,  he  left  to  return  to  Mr.  Branson's ; 
and  when  a  few  rods  on  his  way,  hearing  the  click  of  a  gun,  he 
turned  around,  and  received  the  whole  charge  in  his  breast.  The 
gun  was  a  double-barrelled  shot-gun,  and  loaded  with  slugs.  This 
happened  about  one  o'clock ;  and  the  murdered  body  was  left  by 
the  barbarians  lying  by  the  side  of  the  road  where  he  fell  until 
sundown.  Some  of  the  accessories  then  sent  word  to  Mr.  Bran 
son  "that  a  dead  body  was  lying  by  the  roadside."  He  had 
begun  to  fear  some  ill  had  befallen  his  friend,  and,  at  once  recog 
nizing  the  body,  conveyed  it  to  his  house.  Coleman  is  his  mur 
derer,  while  Harrison  Buckley  and  Hargoits  were  privy  to  it. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  it  was  a  deliberate  act. 

Such  things  are  winked  at  by  our  governor,  no  effort  being 
made  to  bring  offenders  to  justice.  Our  courts  are  the  very 
mockery  of  justice.  Cole  McCrea,  a  free-state  man,  having,  in 
self-defence,  killed  Malcolm  Clark,  is  confined  for  months.  Judge 
Lecompte  packs  the  jury  in  order  to  get  him  indicted.  A  meet 
ing  was  held  at  Leavenworth,  in  May,  at  which  resolutions  most 
intolerant  in  their  character,  proposing  outrage  and  violence  upon 
the  persons  of  free-state  settlers,  were  passed.  Thirty  men,  as  a 
committee  of  vigilance,  were  also  appointed,  "  to  observe  and 
report  all  such  persons  as  shall,  by  the  expression  of  abolition 
sentiments,  produce  disturbance  to  the  quiet  of  the  citizens,  or 
danger  to  the  domestic  relations ;  and  all  such  persons  so  offend 
ing  shall  be  notified  and  made  to  leave  the  territory."  "The 
meeting  was  ably  and  eloquently  addressed  by  Judge  Lecompte, 
Col.  J.  N.  Burns,  of  Western  Missouri,  and  others  "  Such  is  the 
judge  the  federal  government  has  sent  us  —  a  man  of  partisan 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER   OF   DOW.          105 

character,  who  throws  his  whole  influence  upon  the  side  of  vio 
lence  and  disorder,  and  is  aiming  to  form  the  domestic  institutions 
of  the  territory.  Collins,  a  free-state  man,  was  shot,  not  long 
since,  by  Pat  Laughlin,  and  no  notice  was  taken  of  it  by  the 
government.  If  Coleman  should  be  arrested,  have  we  not  good 
reason  to  believe,  though  the  evidence  was  clear  as  the  sunlight 
that  his  hand  was  stained  with  the  blood  of  a  fellow-creature, 
that  Judge  Lecompte  would  so  pack  a  jury  as  to  clear  the  cul 
prit  ?  The  design  of  the  pro-slavery  men  is  to  drive  out  all  who 
tire  firm  and  true  to  the  principles  of  freedom,  and  in  this  design 
the  officials  sympathize.  Justice  weeps  at  the  shameless  course 
of  her  executors  in  this  territory. 

24:tk.  —  A  friend  is  over  from  Blanton.  The  citizens  of  that 
region  and  Hickory  Point  are  much  aroused  by  the  murder  of 
Dow.  He  was  a  mild  and  peaceable  young  man,  much  esteemed 
by  those  who  knew  him.  He  had  recently  received  a  letter  from 
his  friends,  in  which  they  urge  him  to  come  home,  as  they  fear 
his  life  is  in  danger.  Our  friend  S.  has  just  answered  the  letter, 
and  borne  to  them  also  the  sad  tidings  of  their  son's  decease  by 
the  bloody  hand  of  slavery's  minions.  Another  martyr  has  fallen 
on  the  green  plains  of  Kansas  for  those  rights  which  Heaven 
vouchsafes  to  every  human  creature  with  his  breath  of  life.  A 
meeting  to  take  into  consideration  the  bloody  deed,  and  their 
murderous  designs,  as  the  lives  of  other  free-state  men  are  sought 
after  with  vile,  fiendish  threats,  is  called  for  next  Monday,  Nov. 
28.  The  murderer  has  fled  to  Missouri. 

%7tk.  —  Tuesday  morning.  At  about  four  o'clock,  this  morning, 
was  awakened  by  the  hurried  tramp  of  horses'  feet  approaching 
the  house.  A  loud  knock  upon  the  door  soon  followed,  with  the 
instantaneous  halloa,  so  common  in  this  western  country,  used 
instead  of  the  more  courteous  civilities  of  conventional  life,  saving 
the  rider  the  trouble  of  dismounting.  Recognizing  the  voice,  my 
husband  asked,  «  What 's  wanted  ?  " 

The  voice  outside  replied,  "Jones,  with  a  party  of  Missouriaus, 
had  taken  from  his  house  a  Mr.  Branson.  He  has  been  rescued 
by  a  party  of  free-state  men,  and  they  are  now  on  their  way  here. 


106  KANSAS. 

Runners  have  gone  to  Missouri,  and  there  will  be  a  battle  fought 
this  morning." 

The  simple  question  asked  was,  "Where?  " 

And  the  brief  reply,  "  Down  here  on  the  plain,"  was  only  a 
little  startling. 

The  horseman  drove  away,  and  we  heard  already  the  sound  of 
the  drum,  and  the  quick  words  of  the  captain  of  the  little  band 
of  rescuers,  as  they  came  upon  the  brow  of  the  hill  beyond  us. 
Scarcely  had  the  fire  been  built  ere  the  simple  word,  "  Halt !  "  in 
a  tone  of  command,  was  spoken,  and  a  line  fronting  the  house 
quickly  formed.  The  slight  form  of  the  leader  stood  a  little 
nearer  the  door  ;  and,  when  his  peculiarly  dry  manner  of  speech 
fell  upon  the  ear  in  his  brief  inquiry,  "  Is  Dr.  R.  in  ?  "  his  iden 
tity  was  also  known.  The  doctor  opened  the  door,  and  invited 
them  in. 

The  fact  of  the  rescue  was  stated,  and  Mr.  Branson,  being  in 
the  ranks,  was  ordered  to  "  step  forward,  and  tell  his  story," 
which  he  did  with  much  feeling,  and  with  the  appearance  of  a 
person  who  is  heart-broken.  I  shall  never  forget  the  appearance 
of  the  men  in  simple  citizen's  dress,  some  armed  and  some  un 
armed,  standing  in  unbroken  line,  just  visible  in  the  breaking  light 
of  a  November  morning.  This  little  band,  of  less  than  twenty 
men,  had,  through  the  cold  and  upon  the  frozen  ground,  walked 
ten  miles  since  nine  o'clock  of  the  previous  evening.  Mr.  Bran 
son,  a  large  man,  of  fine  proportions,  stood  a  little  forward  of  the 
line,  with  his  head  slightly  bent,  which  an  old  straw  hat  hardly 
protected  from  the  cold,  looking  as  though,  in  his  hurry  of  de 
parture  from  home  in  charge  of  the  ruffianly  men,  he  took  what 
ever  came  first.  As  he,  in  simple,  unaffected  style,  told  of  this 
outrage  upon  humanity,  we  felt  that,  as  in  days  when  men  left 
their  ploughs  in  the  furrows  at  their  country's  call,  so  now  have 
come  again  "  days  which  try  men's  souls,"  and  that  this  may  be 
the  beginning  of  a  contest  which  shall  drench  the  whole  country 
in  blood.  Now,  as  then,  we  need  strong  hearts  to  battle  for  the 
right  —  to  die,  it  may  be,  if  the  sacrifice  is  needed. 

The  drum  beat  again,  and  the  rescuers  and  rescued  passed 
down  to  Lawrence.  After  telling  E.  she  had  better  take  another 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER   OF   DOW.          107 

nap,  in  order  to  be  prepared  for  any  emergency  which  might  arise, 
I  again  fell  asleep,  leaving  my  husband  thinking  over  the  matter 
by  the  parlor  stove,  and  was  awakened  again,  as  the  sun  was 
rising,  by  the  screams  of  cayotes  in  the  distance.  The  first  im 
pression  was  that  the  Missourians  had  come.  The  facts  of  the 
rescue  are  these  :  The  people  of  Hickory  Point  yesterday  held 
the  proposed  meeting  in  reference  to  the  murder  of  Dow,  and 
passed  resolutions  condemning  the  wanton  outrage,  and  that  Cole- 
man  should  be  brought  to  justice.  He,  in  the  mean  time,  had 
gone  to  Gov.  Shannon,  at  the  Shawnee  Mission,  for  protection. 
He  was  there  taken  into  custody  by  Samuel  J.  Jones,  who,  it  will 
be  remembered,  was  engaged  in  the  burning  of  two  settlers' 
houses  at  Lecompton,  on  the  pretence  that  the  claims  were  his, 
while  he  is  a  citizen  and  acting  postmaste^  at  Westport,  Mo. 
This  pretence  of  taking  Coleman  into  custody  was  done  without 
any  warrant  being  issued,  or  examination  had. 

On  yesterday  morning  a  peace-warrant  was  made  out  by  Hugh 
Cameron,  of  Lawrence,  at  the  instigation  of  Bradley,  a  pro- 
slavery  man  living  at  Hickory  Point,  against  Jacob  Branson,  the 
friend  of  the  murdered  Dow,  and  was  -placed  in  the  hands  of 
Jones.  In  the  evening,  after  Mr.  Branson,  with  his  family,  had 
retired,  Jones,  with  a  party  of  mounted  men,  rode  up  to  his  lone 
cabin  upon  the  prairies,  a  half-mile  from  neighbors.  He  knocked 
at  the  door.  To  the  question,  "  Who  is  there  ?  "  the  reply  was 
given,  "  A  friend."  "  Come  in,  then,"  was  the  response,  and  the 
little  cabin  was  full  of  men  —  rough,  savage,  armed  men.  Jones 
went  to  the  bedside,  and,  presenting  his  pistol  to  Branson's  breast, 
said,  "  You  are  my  prisoner." 

Mr.  Branson  asked,  "  By  what  authority?  " 

Oaths,  and  the  threat,  "  I  will  blow  you  through,"  were  the 
decisive  answer.  .The  others,  with  guns  cocked,  gathered  around, 
and  took  him  prisoner.  Thus,  in  the  night,  was  an  innocent, 
defenceless  man  taken  from  his  home  and  family  by  a  gang  of 
twenty-five  whiskey-drinking  ruffians,  showing  no  papers  of  arrest, 
and  answering  with  oaths  and  threats  of  instant  death  any  ques 
tions  as  to  the  cause  of  such  summary,  unlawful  proceedings. 
They  proceeded  to  Buckley's  house,  and,  after  stopping  a  while,  by 


108  KANSAS. 

a  long  and  winding  way  to  elude  pursuers,  they  took  the  route  to 
Blanton's  Bridge.  They  strengthened  their  valor  by  taking  an 
other  "  drink."  Jones,  running  in  his  horse  by  the  side  of  Mr. 
Branson,  said,  "  I  heard  there  were  one  hundred  men  at  your 
house  to-day,"  and  talked  a  good  deal  "  of  the  sport  they  would 
have  had  with  them,"  and  regretted  "  being  cheated  out  of  it." 

This  affair,  though  done  in  the  darkness,  was  soon  brought  to 
light.  The  people  felt  that  the  life  of  another  of  their  citizens 
was  to  be  taken  by  the  hands  of  a  lawless  mob,  at  the  suggestion 
of  two  men  who  were  the  accessories  to  the  murder  of  Dow,  and 
who  were  connected  with  this  new  outrage.  Earnestly,  as  honest 
men  will  act  when  they  feel  that  life  is  at  stake,  and  that  the  life 
of  a  valued  friend,  these  settlers  acted ;  and  the  tidings  flew  on  the 
speed  of  wings  fr  \ai  one  claim  to  another,  until  a  few,  a  lesser 
number  than  the  party  with  Jones,  were  gathered  together.  With 
the  intention  of  rescuing  the  prisoner  from  a  cruel  death,  they 
took  a  nearer  route  than  that  taken  by  Jones,  and  reached  the 
house  of  Mr.  Abbott,  where  they  made  a  stand.  The  settlers 
were  only  ten  or  twelve  in  number,  partially  armed,  and  on  foot, 
while  the  party  now  with  Jones,  whose  numbers  had  somewhat 
fallen  off,  was  mounted  and  armed.  Soon  after  the  settlers  had 
reached  Mr.  A.'s  house,  and  had  recovered  their  breath  after 
their  running  walk,  Jones  and  his  party  appeared  on  a  full  canter. 
As  soon  as  they  saw  the  little  baud  of  footmen,  they  endeavored 
to  avoid  them  by  passing  the  other  side  of  the  house.  The  set 
tlers  understood  the  ruse,  and  passed  quickly  around  to  meet 
them,  forming,  as  they  did  so,  in  a  line  across  the  road. 
Jones  and  his  party  halted,  and  asked,  "  What 's  up  ?  " 
The  reply  was,  "  That 's  what  we  want  to  know  — '  What 's  up  ? '  " 
Some  one  from  the  band  of  settlers  asked,  "  Is  Mr.  Branson 
with  you  ?  " 

He  answered  for  himself,  "  I  am  here,  and  a  prisoner." 
The  word  of  command  given  from  the  little  band  of  footmen 
was,  "  Ride  out  to  our  side,"  which  he  did  without  hesitation, 
notwithstanding  Jones'  threat  of  "  I  '11  shoot  you."  A  question 
then  was  raised  by  the  free-state  men  as  to  the  ownership  of  the 
horse  he  was  riding ;  and,  as  he  said  it  was  not  his,  he  was  ordered 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER    OF   DOW.  109 

to  dismount,  which  order  likewise  he  obeyed.  With  threats  of 
aid  from  Missouri,  which  long  ago  became  stereotyped,  Jones  and 
his  party  wheeled  about,  leaving  the  few  unarmed  footmen  the 
winners  of  the  night.  Not  a  word  was  lisped  of  the  rare  "  sport " 
they  would  have  had  if  they  could  have  found  the  one  hundred 
assembled  men ;  and  now,  when  the  party  was  smaller  than  their 
own,  Jones  shook  nervously,  and  offered  nothing  but  wordy  vio 
lence.  Jones  and  party  rode  on  to  Franklin,  the  little  village 
below  Lawrence.  The  whole  matter,  the  rescue,  etc.,  was  talked 
over  there,  Jones  standing  by.  It  was  suggested  that  a  decision 
be  made  as  to  the  propriety  of  sending  for  aid  to  Col.  Boone,  of 
Westport,  Mo.,  Jones'  father-in-law,  or  to  Gov.  Shannon.  The 
question  seemed  to  be,  which  would  be  most  likely  to  furnish  the 
desired  assistance  in  demolishing  the  doomed  town  of  Lawrence. 
Now  was  the  time  for  the  war.  The  time  specified  by  the  Blue 
Lodges,  two  months  since,  had  arrived.  The  harvests  in  Missouri 
were  in,  and  the  people  there  could,  without  injury  to  their  busi 
ness,  attend  to  the  matter ;  and  navigation  on  the  Missouri  river 
had  closed  for  the  season.  Jones  therefore  wrote  a  despatch,  and 
sent  it  by  a  messenger,  remarking,  as  he  started,  "  That  man  is 
taking  my  despatch  to  Missouri,  and,  by  G— d !  I  will  have 
revenge  before  I  see  Missouri."  Some  complaint  was  made  by  a 
bystander  that  this  despatch  was  not  sent  to  the  governor,  where 
upon  he  sent  one  to  him,  Hargous  being  the  messenger. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  drum-beat,  calling  the 
citizens  together,  was  heard  in  the  little  town  of  Lawrence.  The 
noise  of  the  hammer  was  still ;  but  in  the  firm  tread  and  thought 
ful  countenances  of  the  men,  as  they  walked  up  the  stairway  to 
the  hall  where  the  meeting  for  consultation  was  to  be  held,  the 
spirit  of  '76  was  visible,  and  a  determination,  if  they  must  fight 
against  oppression  as  our  fathers  did,  that  a  new  Lexington  or 
Concord  on  Kansas  plains  should  go  down  to  posterity  with  the 
unsullied  honor  of  her  defenders. 

S.  N.  Wood,  Esq.,  was  appointed  chairman  of  the  meeting. 

He  spoke  briefly  of  the  murder,  of  the  meeting  of  the  day  before 

in  the  same   neighborhood,  of  the  arrest  of  Mr.  Branson,  with 

whom  Mr.  Dow  had  lived,  of  the  rescue  of  the  prisoner  without 

ID 


HO  KANSAS. 

bloodshed,  and  of  the  necessity  that  he  and  the  rest  of  the  com 
munity  be  defended  from  similar  threatened  attacks.     Mr.  Bran 
son  then  made  his  statement,  He  is  an  elderly  man,  of  most  quiet 
and  modest  deportment.  He  was  much  moved,  the  emotions  of  his 
heart,  broken  by  the  death  of  his  friend,  almost  forbidding  utterance. 
Now  the  laceration  was  made  yet  deeper  by  this  wanton  assault 
upon  himself,  and  there  was  the  thought  of  the  terrible  suspense 
as  to  his  fate,  making  the  hours  long  and  weary  for  the  desolate 
wife  in  that  lone  cabin.  All  these  things  tended  to  crush  the  spirit 
of  the  man,  unused  to  such  barbarities  ;   and,  with  tears  at  times 
stealing  down  his  weather-beaten  cheeks,  he  said  he  had  been 
requested  by  some  friends  to  leave  Lawrence,  to  seek  some  other 
place  of  safety,  so  that  no  semblance  even  of  an  excuse  could 
be  given  to  the  enemy  for  an  attack  upon  Lawrence.     He  said  he 
would  go  —  Lawrence  should  not  be  involved  in  difficulty  on  his 
account.     If  it  was  the  decision  of  the  majority,  he  would  leave. 
He  would  rather  go  to  his  home,  and  die  there,  and  be  buried  by 
the  side  of  his  friend.     This  statement,  full  of  feeling,  touched  the 
hearts  of  the  men,  who  felt  they,  too,  might  soon  be  battling  in  the 
death-struggle  for  their  own  hearth-stones,  and  cries  of  "  No  !  no  ! ': 
resounded  through  the  still  room. 

G.  P.  Lowrey,  Esq.,  then  proposed  a  committee  of  ten  should 
be  appointed  to  advise  for  the  common  defence.  He  had  not  hith 
erto  acted  in  these  matters,  but  the  threatening  aspect  of  affairs 
now  demanded  action  upon  the  part  of  all  our  citizens.  The  meas 
ure  proposed  was  purely  defensive.  Mr.  Lowrey 's  remarks  met 
with  a  warm  response  in  the  feelings  of  all,  and  his  proposition 
was  adopted. 

Mr.  Conway  said  they  were  on  the  eve  of  important  events,  and 
they  must  have  a  care  to  take  every  step  properly.  They  ignored 
and  repudiated  the  Legislature  which  held  its  session  at  the  Shaw- 
nee  Mission.  They  would  never  give  in  their  allegiance  to  such 
a  monstrous  iniquity.  To  the  United  States  authorities,  to  the 
organic  act,  to  the  courts  created  under  it,  and  to  the  judges  and 
marshals  appointed  by  the  President,  they  would  yield  obedience. 
They  might  oppress  them,  but  they  would  submit  and  seek  redress 
for  grievances  at  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  which  would 


GENERAL   DISCOMFORT  —  MURDER    OF   DOW.  Ill 

give  them  a  fair  hearing.     They  must  move  with  prudence,  and, 
having  resolved  upon  the  true  course,  maintain  it  fearlessly. 

S.  N.  Wood  did  not  hesitate  to  say  he  was  in  the  rescue  of  the 
night  before  ;  he  knew  the  importance  of  the  step.  He  was  una 
ble  to  express  his  feelings  when  the  clicking  of  the  gunlocks  sounded 
in  the  darkness,  telling  that  the  hour  had  come  for  a  deadly  con 
flict.  He  was  equally  unable  to  do  so  when,  without  firing  one 
shot,  these  men,  who  had  boasted  so  much,  gave  up  the  prisoner, 
declining  to  fight  a  number  less  than  their  own,  and  with  fewer 
arms.  When  he  spoke  of  the  justice  of  the  peace  who  figured 
in  this  transaction,  and  received  his  office  from  the  bogus  Legisla 
ture,  and  whose  name  was  Cameron,  a  general  hiss  expressed  the 
utter  abhorrence  of  the  audience.  Others  spoke  of  this  man  liv 
ing  in  our  midst,  who  had  professed  to  be  a  free-state  man,  and 
who  was  now  a  willing  instrument,  in  the  hands  of  these  vile  men, 
to  enforce  such  measures  upon  us.  It  was  moved  that  a  committee 
of  three  be  appointed  to  wait  on  Cameron,  and  demand  by  what 
authority  he  acted.  The  meeting  then  adjourned  until  two  o'clock. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

WAKARUSA   WAR  —  PREPARATIONS. 

WE  cannot  now  tell  what  an  hour  may  bring  forth.  This  whole 
affair  is  probably  gotten  up  to  test  the  power  of  Gov.  Shannon,  and 
his  accomplices,  in  carrying  out  the  laws  of  the  Shawnee  Mission 
School  Legislature,  which  he  says  "  shall  be  enforced ;  "  in  the 
accomplishment  of  which  he  said  he  would  call  upon  Missouri  for 
aid,  even  before  coming  into  the  territory  whose  people  he  was 
sent  to  govern.  No  writs  of  arrest  have  been  attempted  to  be 
served  upon  our  people  for  breaking  any  of  their  infamous  laws. 
Now  the  time,  in  the  estimation  of  the  worthy  law-makers,  seems 
to  have  arrived,  when  the  laws  shall  be  enforced,  or  at  least  an 
excuse  be  found  for  destroying  Lawrence,  whose  prosperity  has 
long  been  a  terrible  eyesore  to  the  stockholders  in  the  town  of 
Lecompton. 

Will  the  free-state  men  yield  their  rights  ?  Will  they  obey 
these  laws  ?  As  we  look  each  man  in  the  face  this  morning,  we 
read  there  manliness  and  determination,  —  no  crouching  to  tyrants. 
And  each  man  remembers  that  "  resistance  to  tyrants  is  obedience 
to  God." 

We  have  nothing  good  to  expect  from  the  territorial  officers,  and 
Gov.  Shannon  is  scvl,  body  and  soul,  to  the  oppressing  party.  The 
events  of  last  summer,  especially  of  the  last  few  months,  have 
shown,  too  clearly  to  be  mistaken,  the  infamous  designs  of  those  in 
power  here.  On  Saturday,  April  30th,  McCrca,  a  lawyer  of 
Leavenworth,  shot  Malcolm  Clark,  a  pro-slavery  politician,  in  self- 
defence.  He  had  a  long  and  rigorous  imprisonment  at  the  fort, 
and  in  the  jail.  At  the  court  in  September  they  failed  to  find  a 
bill  of  indictment  against  him,  as  the  Grand  Jury  could  not 


WAKARUSA  WAR  —  PREPARATIONS         113 

agree.  At  that  time  Col.  Lane,  of  Lawrence,  went  to  Leaven- 
worth  to  offer  McCrea  his  services  as  counsel,  which  Judge  Lo- 
compte  refused,  as  Col.  Lane  would  not  take  the  oath  to  support 
the  laws  of  the  Legislature  of  the  Shawnee  Mission.  A  majority 
of  the  jury  were  for  acquittal,  and  the  remainder  were  divided, 
one  thinking  the  prisoner  guilty  of  murder,  and  a  few  of  man 
slaughter.  At  the  adjourned  term  of  the  court  in  November, 
Judge  Lecompte  had  added  seven  new  members  to  the  Grand 
Jury,  and  a  bill  of  indictment  for  murder  in  the  first  degree  was 
found  against  him.  Four  of  the  counsel  within  the  bar,  and  offi 
cers  acting  at  this  tribunal,  including  the  clerk  of  the  court,  were 
connected  with  the  lynching  of  Phillips,  also  a  lawyer  at  Leaven- 
worth,  on  the  17th  of  May.  At  this  adjourned  session  of  the 
court,  a  motion  was  made,  by  one  of  the  attorneys,  to  dismiss  the 
clerk,  and  one  of  the  attorneys  who  had  been  thus  engaged,  affida 
vits  having  been  filed  to  prove  the  facts ;  but  the  court  did  not 
grant  the  motion.  Thus,  while  one  man  is  imprisoned  for  months, 
a  jury  packed  that  a  bill  may  be  found  against  him,  and  he  is 
tried  by  those  who  are  guilty  of  the  most  abominable  crimes,  they 
go  unpunished,  no  effort  being  made  to  bring  them  to  justice. 

Several  of  these  grand  jurors  were  standing  outside  of  the 
court-house,  one  day,  while  several  free-state  men  were  within, 
and,  speaking  of  them,  asked  "  if  it  would  n't  be  best  to  take  out 
a  few  of  those  fellows,  and  string  them  up.  Could  n't  the  laws 
be  so  construed  as  to  render  it  legal?  "  What  justice  can  any  one 
expect  from  such  executors  of  the  laws?  At  this  time,  also,  the 
following  call  for  a  convention  of  the  "  law  and  order  "  party  was 
published  in  all  their  papers  : 

"  GRAND    MASS   CONVENTION   AT    LEAVENWORTH    CITY,  NOV.  14TII,  '55. 

"  The  law-abiding  citizens  of  Kansas  Territory,  without  distinc 
tion  of  party,  will  hold  a  grand  mass  convention,  at  Leavenworth, 
on  November  14th.  Let  there  be  a  grand  rally  of  the  law  and  order 
citizens  of  the  territory.  Friends  of  the  constitution  and  laws, 
turn  out,  appoint  delegates  from  every  neighborhood,  and  come 
yourselves,  and  show  that  there  is  a  grand  and  glorious  party 
in  the  territory,  who  are  determined  to  stand  by  the  constituted 
10* 


114  KANSAS. 

authorities  of  the  land.  Let  come  what  will,  show  that  you  are 
determined  to  rally  around  the  bulwarks  of  the  constitution,  and 
maintain  the  laws.  Let  every  county  in  the  territory  be  fully 
represented.  By  order  of 

"  ANDREW  J.  ISAACS,  R.  R.  REES,  ^ 

JOHN  A.  HALDERMAN,          L.  F.  HOLLINGSWORTH,  I  „ 

D.  J.  JOHNSON,  D.  A.  N.  GROVER, 

WM.  G.  MATHIAS, 

Some  of  these  men  are  President  Pierce's  appointees  in  the  ter 
ritory.  A  part  of  these  were  connected  in  the  mobbing  of  Phil 
lips,  while  others  were  of  the  invading  horde  who  trampled  upon 
the  constitution,  and  all  the  rights  it  ensures  to  freemen,  at  the 
election  of  the  30th  of  March.  This  talk  of  rallying  around  the 
constitution,  and  maintaining  the  laws,  sounds  well  coming  from 
such  men  !  At  this  meeting  Gov.  Shannon  presided,  committing 
himself  wholly  to  the  partisan  movement.  He  declared  that  the 
iniquitous  laws  passed  by  men  from,  and  chosen  by,  Missouri, 
"  shall  be  enforced."  He  entered  into  a  league  with  these  men 
that  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  oppress  the  other  party.  He 
called  the  free-state  party  a  "  faction,"  although  he  knew  that  the 
convention  at  Topeka  was  elected  by  votes  of  at  least  three  fourths 
of  the  residents  of  the  territory,  and  was  comprised  of  men  of  all 
political  opinions.  He  yet  rushed  on  recklessly,  led  by  blind  lead 
ers,  and  desiring  nothing  but  that  free  Kansas  shall  bear  the  gall 
ing  yoke  of  slavery. 

Gen.  Calhoun  addressed  the  meeting.  Among  other  choice  tit 
bits,  he  said  :  "  Shall  abolitionists  rule  you  ?  No,  never  !  Give 
them  all  they  demand,  and  abolitionism  becomes  the  law  of  the 
land.  You  yield,  and  you  have  the  most  infernal  government  that 
ever  cursed  a  land.  I  would  rather  be  a  painted  slave  over  in 
Missouri,  or  a  serf  to  the  czar  of  Russia,  than  have  the  abolition 
ists  in  power.  (Tremendous  cheers.)  Look  at  the  outrages  men 
tioned  in  their  journals,  of  babies  shot  through  the  sides  of  houses, 
etc.  There  is  nothing  so  low  or  mean  but  abolition  papers  are 
found  to  tell  it.  We,  the  Union-loving  and  State-rights  party, 
of  Kansas,  have  kept  too  still,  and  allowed  the  nullifiers  to  pro- 


WAKARUSA   WAR  —  PREPARATIONS.  115 

claim  millions  of  lies.  This  is  a  great  question  for  abolitionists  to 
make  capital  out  of.  We  must  not  allow  it  to  go  on  here.  We 
must  stop  its  growth.  It  tramples  upon  the  laws  of  the  land.  Say 
to  your  governor,  '  Enforce  the  laws  ;  we  will  stand  by  you,  and, 
if  necessary,  we  will  spill  our  life's  blood  to  enforce  them  ! '  The 
governor  will  be  with  you.  The  governor  calls  for  all  to  help 
him,  except  abolitionists.  He  calls  to  men  of  all  states  ;  but  he 
don't  want  abolitionists." 

After  Gen.  Calhoun  had  pursued  this  strain  of  remark  a  while 
longer,  he  took  his  seat,  and  Mr.  Parrott  arose  to  speak.  He, 
however,  gave  way  to  an  amendment  offered  by  Gen.  Clark  to  the 
motion  of  Dr.  Stringfellow,  "  law  and  order  "  men  being  substi 
tuted  for  "  pro-slavery  "  men,  in  constituting  a  delegate  to  the 
meeting.  Mr.  Parrott  had  an  interview  with  the  governor,  before 
the  evening  session,  and  stated  his  desire  to  speak  ;  to  which  the 
governor,  with  very  pro-slaveryish  leanings,  replied,  "  He  did  not 
think  anything  he  would  say  would  be  at  all  congenial  to  the  feel 
ings  of  the  rest."  Twice,  after  the  first  attempt  to  speak,  Mr. 
Parrott  addressed  the  chair ;  but  his  honor  by  no  sign  acknowl 
edged  he  heard  a  sound.  The  feelings  of  the  "  law  and  order  " 
gentry  were  expressed  in  hisses,  and  groans,  and  cries  of  "  Put  him 
out !  "  Mr.  Parrott's  patience  still  lasted,  arid  as  he  again  ap 
pealed  to  the  chair,  the  gray  head  turned,  as  though  on  a  pivot, 
upon  the  shoulders  which  bore  the  weight  of  some  sixty  years,  and 
the  coarse  features  were  hidden  from  his  sight.  He  continued  : 
"  By  the  order  of  this  convention,  I  am  a  delegate  (groans  and 
hisses),  and  I  claim  the  right  to  be  heard  (hisses  and  groans).  As 
the  friend  and  advocate  of  '  law  and  order,'  I  shall  congratulate 
myself  and  the  country  if  your  labors  shall  result  in  strengthening 
that  sentiment  in  the  territory.  ('  Put  him  out,'  and  groans.)  I 
was,  as  you  know,  a  member  of  the  Topeka  Convention,  and  am 
unalterably  attached  to  that  cause  (hisses  and  groans).  Governor, 
your  presence  reminds  me  of  other  days,  when,  as  the  standard- 
bearer  of  an  undivided  democracy,  you  stemmed  the  tide  of  polit 
ical  opposition  which  threatened  to  subvert  our  cherished  princi 
ples,  in  the  state  from  which  we  hail.  May  I  not  venture  to 
invoke  the  recollection  of  that  time,  to  ask  of  you,  and  the  friends 


116  KANSAS. 

by  whom  you  are  now  surrounded,  a  patient  hearing  of  the  cause 
I  advocate."  At  this  juncture,  Dr.  Stringfellow  informed  Mr. 
Parrott  that  the  convention  did  not  wish  to  hear  a  free-state  man. 
A  good  deal  of  confusion  ensuing,  Mr.  Parrott  gave  way  to  the 
bully  crowd. 

A  person  after  Gov.  Shannon's  own  heart  now  took  the  floor,  and, 
among  other  peaceful  and  patriotic  sentiments,  which  brought 
down  the  house  in  cheers  long  and  loud,  were  the  following. 
Speaking  of  Kansas  laws,  he  said,  "  For  the  safety  of  our  prop 
erty  we  must  enforce  them,  for  the  preservation  of  our  lives  against 
higher  law  marauding.  I  endorse  the  sentiments  of  Gen.  Cal- 
houn's  speech,  and,  had  I  the  tongue  to  be  heard  to  every  limit  of 
this  Union,  I  would  proclaim  it,  so  that  old  men,  now  standing  on 
the  brink  of  the  grave,  might  hear  it ;  and  I  would  sooner  my  tongue 
should  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  or  my  right  arm  be  sev 
ered  from  my  body,  than  silently  give  over  our  beautiful  country 
to  ruthless  abolitionism.  We  must  enforce  the  laws,  though  we 
resort  to  the  force  of  arms  ;  trust  to  our  rifles,  and  make  the  blood 
flow  as  freely  as  do  the  turbid  waters  of  the  Missouri,  that  flows 
along  our  banks."  Judge  Lecompte  said  he  would  support  "  law 
and  order."  Dr.  Stringfellow,  and  Johnson,  one  of  the  foremost 
in  the  gang  who  lynched  Phillips,  added  their  words  of  counsel. 
Such  were  the  prime  movers  in  this  meeting  —  the  governor,  the 
judge,  the  surveyor-general,  appointed  by  the  national  head,  yet, 
first  and  foremost  in  a  meeting  made  up  of  border  desperadoes. 
Stringfellow,  the  pro-slavery  apostle,  was  acting  with  them,  a  prom 
inent  officer  of  the  meeting,  and,  only  a  few  days  previous,  pub 
lished  an  extra,  which  has  the  following  significant  sentence :  "  Thus 
it  is  that  the  fight  so  long  talked  of  has  begun,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  it  will  not  be  discontinued  until  Kansas  Territory  is  rid  of  this 
*  higher  law '  and  blood-thirsty  set  of  negro  thieves  and  outlaws." 
This  was  said  in  reference  to  the  murder  of  Collins  by  PatLaugh- 
lin.  Gov.  Shannon,  in  conversation,  said,  "  The  laws  are  not  so 
very  bad,"  —  notwithstanding,  for  even  having  in  one's  house  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  or  saying  aught  against  slavery,  one 
is  exposed  to  incarceration  within  prison  walls.  After  the  meet 
ing,  Gov.  Shannon  and  Surveyor-General  Calhoun  were  the  invited 


WAKARUSA    AVAR — PREPARATIONS.  117 

0 

guests  of  Lyle  and  Johnson,  notorious  ruffians,  and  ringleaders  in 
the  mobbing  of  Phillips.  Such  being  the  facts  of  Gov.  Shannon's 
course  here,  what  can  we  expect?  Jones  threatens  that  he  will 
return  to  destroy  Lawrence ;  "  not  one  stone  shall  be  left  standing." 
He  asserts  that  "  Shannon  has  promised  him  ten  thousand  men,  to 
enforce  the  laws."  It  seems  a  little  singular  that  such  a  promise 
should  have  been  made,  when  not  even  one  arrest  has  been 
attempted,  to  test  the  temper  of  our  people.  Where  will  the  poor 
governor  find  ten  thousand  men  to  do  his  bidding  ? 

With  all  these  truths  before  them,  our  people  cannot  but  see 
that  preparations  for  defence  are  necessary ;  and  in  the  afternoon 
the  adjourned  meeting  came  together  again.  The  pledge  reported 
by  Mr.  Lowrey,  as  chairman  of  the  committee,  was  carried  through 
the  hall,  by  the  secretary  of  the  meeting,  and  was  signed,  by  those 
of  the  audience  not  belonging  to  volunteer  companies,  upon  the 
stock  of  a  Sharpe's  rifle,  that  being  used  as  the  most  convenient 
article  at  hand.  The  following  was  the  pledge  of  union  and 
mutual  support :  "  We  the  citizens  of  Kansas  Territory,  finding 
ourselves  in  a  condition  of  confusion  and  defencelessness  so  great 
that  open  outrage  and  mid-day  murder  are  becoming  the  rule,  and 
quiet  and  security  the  exception  ;  and  whereas  the  law,  the  only 
authoritative  engine  to  correct  and  regulate  the  excesses  and  wrongs 
of  society,  has  never  yet  been  extended  to  our  territory,  thus  leav 
ing  us  with  no  fixed  or  definite  rule  of  action,  or  course  of  redress, 
we  are  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  organizing  ourselves  together 
on  the  basis  of  first  principles,  and  providing  for  the  common 
defence  and  general  security ;  and  here  we  pledge  ourselves  to  the 
resistance  of  lawlessness  and  outrage,  at  all  times,  when  required 
by  the  officers  who  may  from  time  to  time  be  chosen  to  superin 
tend  the  movements  of  this  organization." 

It  is  rumored  that  the  Missourians  will  make  the  attack  to-mor 
row  night.  To  complete  the  farce,  Gov.  Shannon,  in  person,  it  is 
said,  will  lead  on  his  red-shirted,  butternut-colored-trousered  allies 
from  Missouri,  to  subdue  and  crush  his  own  people.  Has  he  no 
sense,  or  has  his  brain  become  so  muddled  in  the  bad  whiskey  in 
which  it  floats,  as  to  dull  all  his  perceptions  of  justice  or  right  ? 
j.  —  Wednesday  morning.  A  beautiful  morning  dawned 


118  KANSAS. 

upon  us  —  so  lovely  one  could  scarcely  realize,  that  under  the  quiet, 
soothing  influence  of  such  sunny  skies,  the  brutal  passions  of  men 
could  so  rage  as  to  seek  the  destruction  of  their  fellows.  Diffi 
cult,  indeed,  is  it  to  feel  that  destruction  is  sworn  against  our 
homes,  and  a  price  set  upon  the  heads  of  some  dear  to  us.  Yet, 
our  people,  having  decided  upon  their  course  of  action,  are  again 
at  their  usual  places  of  business.  The  warlike  aspect  of  yesterday 
has  given  place  to  the  busy,  enterprising  spirit  of  the  past  daily  rou 
tine  which  has  characterized  our  people,  and  made  the  little  city 
of  a  year  give  good  promise  of  its  future.  Though  at  a  moment's 
warning  they  could  spring  into  line,  armed  for  defence,  externally 
everything  looks  peaceful.  Occasionally,  a  horseman  rides  rapidly 
into  town,  and,  after  stopping  a  few  moments,  goes  as  rapidly  out. 
It  is  rumored  that  a  large  force  is  gathering  at  Franklin ;  also 
another  at  Lecompton,  fourteen  miles  above  here.  We  do  not 
credit  such  reports.  Whom  will  they  fight,  if  they  come  ?  Will 
they  dare,  in  this  nineteenth  century,  in  this  boasted  land  of  free 
dom,  to  make  a  raid  upon  us,  crying,  "  Extermination,  and  no  quar 
ter-!  "  A  wholesome  fear  of  consequences  to  themselves  will 
prevent  this.  There  will,  probably,  be  a  good  deal  of  useless  bra 
vado,  and  they  will  strive  to  place  us,  if  possible,  in  a  wrong  posi 
tion  before  the  world.  There  is  a  rumor,  at  evening,  that  an  attack 
is  threatened  from  Lecompton.  The  night  is  dark.  E.  and  I  are 
alone.  About  nine  o'clock  some  gentlemen  call,  for  a  few  minutes, 
who  have  been  looking  around  on  the  hill  beyond  us,  but  saw  no 
enemy.  The  hours  were  rapidly  passing ;  it  was  nearly  eleven 
o'clock,  and  no  one  came  from  town.  E.  fell  asleep  in  her  chair ; 
I  went  out  upon  the  hill  alone,  in  the  darkness,  and  listened  ;  I  heard 
nothing.  I  nearly  dropped  asleep  upon  the  lounge,  and  was 
aroused  by  a  loud  knocking  at  the  door,  and  three  young  men  with 
Sharpe's  rifles,  and  a  cheerful "  Good-evening,"  entered.  They  came 
as  a  guard,  to  see  that  no  force  comes  into  town  from  the  Lecomp 
ton  road.  We  talked  a  while  of  the  prospect  of  the  war,  and 
were  fully  agreed  as  to  the  general  character  of  the  enemy,  their 
failure  of  courage  when  they  meet  a  foe  equal  in  number,  as  Jones 
and  party  proved  on  the  night  of  the  26th.  We  brought  in  extra 
candles  and  blankets,  and  went  up  stairs  for  a  little  sleep. 


WAKARUSA  WAR  —  PREPARATIONS.        119 

.  —  It  is  Thanksgiving  day  in  Massachusetts,  as  in  several 
other  states.  How  anxious  for  us  our  friends  would  be,  did  they 
know  just  what  dangers  threaten  us !  But  as  they  now  draw 
around  the  cheerful  fire,  which  November's  chilly  breath  in  New 
England  makes  social  and  pleasant,  they  will  think  of  us  as  enjoy 
ing  milder  skies,  and  dream  not  of  the  dire  visitation  of  the  ruf 
fianly  horde  gathering  in  our  borders,  and  thirsting  for  our  blood. 
The  little  home  circle,  now  sadly  broken  in  upon  by  life's  changes, 
the  revered  head  having  passed  onward  beyond  the  dark  portal, 
will  think  of  her  who  in  young  girlhood  made  one  of  the  number 
around  the  bright  hearth-stone,  and,  having  entered  upon  the 
responsibilities  of  life's  drama,  finds  her  post  of  duty  in  this  far 
away  land.  Thanksgiving  will  be  kept  by  some  families  here,  and 
the  old  custom  of  inviting  one's  friends  to  dine  will  not  be  forgot 
ten  ;  though  the  "  wars  and  rumors  of  wars,"  with  the  necessary 
preparations  in  case  of  an  attack,  prevent  its  assuming  its  usual 
festive  character. 

The  town  has  grown  much  in  the  few  last  weeks.  The  large 
hotel  is  complete  externally,  and,  with  its  large,  airy-looking  win 
dows  opening  upon  a  prospect  of  indescribable  loveliness,  its  black- 
walnut  doors  with  a  mirror-like  surface  adding  beauty,  promises 
comfort  in  the  future  to  the  weary  traveller.  There  are  other 
buildings,  nearly  as  large,  almost  complete,  while  others  are 
in  process  of  erection.  One  has  to  look  all  around  them  to 
avoid  running  into  piles  of  sand  and  lime,  against  the  hod-carriers 
and  busy  workmen.  The  Missourians  have  not  forsaken  us  yet, 
or  left  us  to  starve,  as  plenty  of  their  market-wagons  are  standing 
at  every  store.  The  Yankee's  money  is  as  good  as  anybody's 
money  ;  and  too  much  of  it,  while  the  borderers  treat  us  so  ill,  has 
gone  into  their  hands.  It  is  estimated  that  over  a  million  dollars 
have  been  paid  them  for  horses,  wagons,  provisions,  and  freights, 
within  the  last  year. 

A  friend  came  in  from  the  border  at  evening,  and  brought  reli 
able  information  of  quite  a  camp  at  Franklin,  four  miles  from  us, 
and  people  continually  on  the  way.  He  says  there  never  has  been 
before  such  excitement  in  the  border  towns.  All  kinds  of  teams 
are  pressed  into  service,  and  are  generally,  together  with  the 


120  KANSAS. 

riders,  of  most  uncouth,  nondescript  appearance.  A  box  of  provis 
ions,  some  shot-guns,  and  a  jug,  usually  complete  the  outfit ;  and, 
corning  with  ox-teams,  as  quite  a  number  of  them  do,  there  must 
also  be  embarked  for  the  journey  a  supply  of  patience.  The  pos 
sibility  of  a  retreat  has  probably  never  entered  the  heads  of  these 
valiant  warriors  of  the  ox-team  battalion. 

The  following  extraordinary  document,  sent  by  Secretary  Wood- 
son  to  Gen.  Easton,  of  Leavenworth,  has  just  appeared  : 

"  (Private.)  DEAR  GENERAL  :  The  governor  has  called  out  the 
militia,  and  you  will  hereby  organize  your  division,  and  proceed 
forthwith  to  Lecompton.  As  the  governor  has  no  power,  you 
may  call  out  the  Platte  Rifle  Company.  They  are  always  ready 
to  help  us.  Whatever  you  do,  do  not  implicate  the  governor. 

"  DANIEL  WOODSON." 

General  Easton  was  appointed,  by  the  Shawnee  Legislature, 
general  of  the  territorial  militia.  The  following,  also,  was  sent 
from  Westport : 

"  WESTPORT,  JVbi>.  27. 

"  HON.  E.  C.  MCCLAREM,  Jefferson  City :  Gov.  Shannon  has 
ordered  out  the  militia  against  Lawrence.  They  are  now  in  open 
rebellion  against  the  laws.  Jones  is  in  danger." 

Dec.  \st.  —  Saturday  night  has  come  again,  bringing  the  close  of 
another  week  —  a  week  of  anxiety  to  the  leaders  here,  upon  whom 
the  responsibility  of  our  safety  rests.  Messengers  have  been  sent 
to  the  other  settlements,  at  different  times,  notifying  them  of  the 
threatened  attack,  with  the  desire  that  they  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  to  come  to  our  aid  at  a  moment's  notice. 

Last  night,  at  midnight,  a  friendly  band  of  armed  men  came  in 
from  Ottawa  Creek,  having  heard  of  the  invasion.  AVith  flag 
flying,  a  company  of  mounted  riflemen  have  come  in  from  Pal 
myra,  also.  The  Indians,  both  Shawnees  and  Delawares,  have 
offered  their  warriors  for  our  defence.  While  we  would  not  accept 
aid  from  the  Indians,  knowing  that  it  would  furnish  a  pretext  to 


WAKARUSA  WAR  —  PREPARATIONS.        121 

the  government  for  their  extermination,  their  friendly  feelings  will 
go  far  towards  sustaining  the  courage  of  any  who  might  falter. 

Several  gentlemen  from  Lawrence  have  been  down  to  the  ene 
my's  camp  to-day,  as  they  have,  in  fact,  every  previous  day.  They 
found  some  of  the  men  in  the  camp  quite  communicative.  They 
say  that  "  a  good  many  are  on  the  way  ;  "  that  they  are  coming 
"  to  help  the  governor."  It  is  estimated  that  not  more  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  are  now  in  camp  at  Franklin,  and  on  the  Waka- 
rusa,  two  or  three  miles  below.  At  the  former  place,  to-day, 
about  fifty  of  these  barbarians  were  shooting  at  a  mark.  Two 
covered  wagons,  with  flags  flying,  were  standing  in  the  centre  of 
the  town.  Some  horses  were  fastened  near. 

As  one  of  these  gentlemen  from  Lawrence  went  below  the  Wa- 
karusa,  where  some  half  a  dozen  of  humanity's  roughest  specimens 
guard  the  ford,  on  his  return,  their  anxiety  was  expressed  in  the 
question,  "Have  you  seen  many  coming?"  At  one  point  he 
overtook  a  covered  wagon,  with  two  men  and  boxes  of  provisions 
and  ammunition,  with  an  escort  of  a  dozen  horsemen.  A  large 
flag,  of  singular  appearance,  waved  over  the  wagon.  It  was  a 
"  lone  star,"  of  deep  crimson,  upon  a  white  ground.  As  one  of 
the  emblems  of  their  secret  oaths,  as  members  of  the  Blue  Lodge, 
it  was  hailed  with  loud  shouts  by  those  already  in  camp. 

Business  is  nearly  given  up  here.  Men  gather  in  groups  to 
talk  of  the  probabilities  of  flying  rumors.  Never  were  there  more 
in  circulation.  A  committee  of  safety,  also  the  leaders  in  this 
emergency,  have  been  appointed.  They  are  taking  all  possible 
steps  for  the  defence,  learning  as  much  as  they  can  of  the  move 
ments  of  the  enemy.  It  is  rumored,  also,  that  Gov.  Shannon  has 
telegraphed  to  President  Pierce  for  the  military  force  at  Fort 
Leavenworth.  The  poor  people  of  the  territory  would  wonder 
what  it 's  for,  were  it  not  explained  by  the  following  despatch  from 
Missouri : 

"WESTON,  Mo.,  Nov.  80. 

'"  The  greatest  excitement  continues  to  exist  in  Kansas.     The 

officers  have  been  resisted  by  the  mobocrats,  and  the  interposition 

of  the  militia  has  been  called  for.     A  secret  letter  from  Secretary 

Woodson  to  Gen.  Easton    has  been  written,  in  which  the  writer 

11 


122  KANSAS, 

requests  Gen.  Easton  to  call  for  tbe  rifle  company,  at  Platte  city, 
Mo.,  so  as  not  to  compromise  Gov.  Shannon.  Four  hundred  men 
from  Jackson  Co.  are  now  en  route  lor  Douglas  Co.,  K.  T.  St. 
Joseph  and  Weston  are  requested  to  furnish  each  the  same  num 
ber.  The  people  of  Kansas  are  to  be  subjugated  at  all  hazards." 

Yes!  Kansas  is  to  be  subjugated  at  all  hazards!  and  at  the 
bidding  of  a  governor  who  has  never  yet  visited  the  people  of  the 
territory,  but  has  entered  into  league  and  copartnership  with  the 
people  in  the  border  counties  of  another  state,  he  being  their 
"  tool,"  while  they  find  blood  and  treasure  for  the  accomplishment 
of  the  designed  subjugation.  How  the  memory  of  such  a  lofty 
purpose  must  gladden  his  days  as  he  treads  softly  the  down-hill 
side  of  life ! 

2d. Sunday.     Last  evening  a  meeting  was  held,  according  to 

previous  arrangement,  to  discuss  the  merits  of  the  new  constitution. 
Judge  Smith,  Col.  Lane,  and  others,  addressed  the  meeting.  Quite 
naturally  the  times  in  which  we  live,  and  the  present  circumstances 
surrounding  us,  occupied  quite  largely  the  attention  of  the  meet 
ing. 

Several  utterly  false  and  distorted  accounts  of  the  officers  in 
and  about  Lawrence  were  read  from  a  Leavenworth  Herald 
of  the  evening  before,  which  so  aroused  the  indignation  of 
the  meeting  that  they  appointed  a  committee  to  collect  carefully 
all  the  facts  and  have  them  published.  The  paper  which  was  read 
also  contained  the  information  that  Shannon  had  called  out  Rich 
ardson,  of  Mo.,  general  of  the  militia.  Some  incendiary  appeals 
from  that  as  well  as  Independence  papers  were  read. 

A  gentleman  has  just  remarked  that  "  it  is  the  one  act  in  Shan 
non's  course  which  is  perfectly  consistent;  a  Missouri  leader 
should  have  command  of  Missouri  banditti." 

Dr.  Robinson,  having  been  called  upon  several  times  to  speak, 
also  having  been  called  from  the  hall  two  or  three  times,  at  last 
said,  in  a  plain  way,  and  in  brief,  that  "  It  was  a  time,  in  his  opin 
ion,  for  acting  rather  than  speaking ;  that  Shannon  had  placed 
himself  in  a  bad  situation.  At  his  bidding  all  these  Missourians 
had  come  over  to  help  him  enforce  the  laws ;  but  when  they  come 


WAKARUSA  WAR  —  PREPARATIONS.        123 

to  Lawrence  they  will  find  that  nobody  has  broken  any  laws ;  for 
the  people  of  Lawrence  are  a  law-abiding  people.  Their  real 
object  was  to  destroy  Lawrence ;  but  it  was  a  question  whether 
they  would  attempt  it  without  some  pretext ;  and  before  the  Amer 
ican  people  Shannon  would  be  responsible  for  their  conduct. 
Fearful  of  some  atrocious  act  upon  the  part  of  his  drunken  rabble, 
he  has  been  compelled  to  remove  the  most  of  them  to  the  camps 
on  the  Wakarusa.  They  really  were  in  a  predicament.  They 
were  afraid  to  attack  Lawrence  without  a  pretext,  and  with  reason. 
He  had  learned,  but  would  not  vouch  for  its  truth,  that  Shannon 
had  telegraphed  to  President  Pierce  for  the  troops  at  the  forts.  It 
was  also  reported  that  Pierce  had  telegraphed  back  again  that  he 
might  have  them,  and,  of  course,  he  would  get  them.  Of  course 
he  would  disarm  the  people  when  an  invading  force  of  drunken 
Missourians  was  almost  at  our  doors,  and  we  have  no  protection 
in  the  government  of  the  country.  (Laughter,  and  cries  of '  Of 
course.')  Men  of  Lawrence,  and  free-state  men,  we  must  have 
courage,  but  with  it  we  must  have  prudence !  These  men  have 
come  from  Missouri  to  subjugate  the  free-state  men,  to  crush  the 
free-state  movement,  —  their  pretence,  that  outrages  have  been 
committed.  They  are  sustained  by  all  the  United  States  author 
ities  here ;  and  while  they  do  not  think  it  essential  that  a  good 
cause  for  fighting  be  given  them,  the  authorities  will  wait  at  least 
for  a  plausible  excuse  before  commencing  to  shed  blood.  This 
excuse  must  not  be  given  them.  Each  man  must  be  a  committee 
of  one  to  guard  the  reputation  as  well  as  lives  of  the  free-stafe 
men.  If  the  Missourians,  partly  from  fear  and  partly  from  want 
of  a  sufficient  pretext,  have  to  go  back  without  striking  a  blow,  it 
will  make  them  a  laughing-stock,  and  redound  fearfully  against 
Shannon.  This  is  the  last  struggle  between  freedom  and  slavery, 
and  we  must  not  flatter  ourselves  that  it  will  be  trivial  or  short. 
The  free-state  men  must  stand  shoulder  to  shoulder,  with  an  un 
broken  front,  and  stand  or  fall  together  in  defence  of  their  liber 
ties  and  homes.  These  may  be  dark  days,  but  the  American  peo 
ple  and  the  world  will  justify  us,  and  the  cause  of  right  will  event 
ually  triumph."  The  enthusiasm  with  which  these  remarks  were 


124  KANSAS. 

received  evinced  the  deep  feeling    and  determined  spirit  of  the 
meeting. 

A  gentleman  in  from  Lecompton,  yesterday  afternoon,  reported 
a  most  cowardly  affair,  in  which  Gen.  Clarke  was  the  actor.  He 
is  the  Indian  agent,  a  most  infamous  man ;  so  notorious  for  his 
evil  deeds  before  coming  here,  that  it  is  said  his  life  would  not 
be  a  moment  safe  where  he  previously  lived.  His  infamy  renders 
him,  however,  a  better  tool  for  this  corrupt  administration,  and  a 
proper  ally  for  the  other  officials  here.  He  has  become  alarmed 
for  his  safety,  and  a  few  evenings  since  sent  to  some  of  his  pro- 
slavery  friends  to  come  to  his  house  to  act  as  guard.  They, 
answering  his  request  by  their  presence,  were  saluted  by  being 
fired  upon  as  they  reached  his  house.  It  happened  on  this  wise. 
His  fears  were  so  great,  causing  him  to  hear  an  enemy  in  every 
footstep,  or  the  rustling  of  a  leaf,  that,  supposing  the  knock  at 
the  door  was  that  of  some  free-state  man,  he  ran  out  of  the  back 
door,  around  the  corner  of  the  house,  shot  the  man  who  proved  to 
be  the  friend  he  had  sent  for,  and  ran  back  again. 

E.  and  I  were  sitting  alone  last  evening,  when  loud  shouts  in 
the  distance  told  of  some  new  arrival.  We  opened  the  door, 
and  looked  out  into  the  darkness.  We  could  see  nothing  but  the 
friendly  lights,  in  the  humble  dwellings  over  the  prairie,  to  the 
eastward,  while  they  burned  more  brightly  yet  in  the  hall,  and  in 
the  hotel,  whose  upper  rooms  are  used  for  the  committee  and 
council  rooms.  Though  a  half  mile  from  town,  and  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  neighbors,  and  those  strangers,  while  the 
lights  show  that  no  one  will  be  "  caught  napping,"  even  at  this 
late  hour,  we  have  no  fears  of  danger.  We  feel  sure  the  shouts 
were  not  those  of  invaders,  as  their  yells  are  most  unearthly. 
Again,  in  the  distance,  we  heard  the  cheerful  sounds  go  up  to 
heaven,  and  reechoed  among  the  hills.  We  know,  instinctively, 
that  it  is  the  spontaneous  burst  of  welcome  to  some  new  relief- 
company. 

The  guard  comes  up  ere  long.  They  say  to  our  queries  of 
"What  news?"  "  The  '  Bloomington  Boys '  are  in."  "We've 
had  a  grand  meeting."  "  We  are  going  to  protect  ourselves." 
One  laughingly  says,  "  Protect  ourselves  from  whom  ?  "  And 


WAKARUSA  WAR — PREPARATIONS.         125 

after  suggestions  from  the  trio  of  young  men,  who  have  now  been 
on  guard  four  nights  in  this  part  of  the  town,  making  our  house 
head-quarters,  "  that  Shannon  will  not  fight ;  "  that  "the  Missouri- 
ans  will  run  at  the  first  fire,"  and  that  "  they,  having  been  taught  to 
believe  the  Yankees  are  cowards,  will  find  their  mistake ;  "  that  they 
are  expecting  to  get  land-warrants  to  pay  them  for  their  trouble  in 
coming  here,  but  may  get  an  actual  preemption  claim  six  feet  by 
two  instead ;  we  are  all  of  our  old  opinion  that  there  is  really 
very  little  actual  danger.  They  may  take  the  trouble  to  come 
here,  some  coming  hundreds  of  miles,  with  their  threats,  their 
whiskey  and  their  old  shot-guns,  —  giving  them  a  right  to  the  name 
with  which  our  guard  has  christened  them,  "  The  Shot-gun  Bat 
talion," —  they  may  come  with  their  music,  in  the  shape  of  an 
old  violin,  and  a  rough,  fierce-looking  biped,  to  whom  soap  and  a 
razor  are  unknown,  clad  in  buckskin  breeches,  and  red  shirt ;  but 
the  inspiration  of  the  "Arkansas  Traveller,"  among  these  half- 
drunken  creatures,  will  never  equal  the  "  moral  suasion,"  or  the 
wholesome  fear  of  a  few  Sharpe's  rifles. 

Our  house  was  full  last  night,  and  of  the  capacity  of  our  Kan 
sas  homes  our  eastern  friends  have  no  idea.  Doctor  brought  several 
strangers  home  with  him  at  a  very  late  hour. 

A  startling  incident  occurred  last  night.  One  of  our  picket 
guards  was  fired  upon.  Two  of  the  guard  were  sitting  together, 
when  a  party  of  Missourians  approached  and  fired  six  shots  at 
them.  Our  men  had  strict  orders  not  to  fire,  unless  the  emer 
gency  was  desperate,  and  so  bore  the  insult  with  remarkable  pru 
dence,  arid  obeyed  orders. 

Our  people  are  acting  strictly  upon  the  defensive,  and  these 
provocations  are  continually  offered  us  to  provoke  a  collision. 
They  are  endeavoring  to  draw  them  from  the  position  which 
all  the  world  will  justify,  that  they  may  have  a  pretext  for  the 
destruction  of  Lawrence,  which  is  really  the  whole  cause  of  the 
invasion. 

A  clergyman  was  with  us  last  night.     He  had  come  in  from  a 

neighboring   settlement,  and    has   been    a    resident    of    Missouri 

twenty-seven  years.     He  knows  them  well  therefore ;  their  cruel 

and  desperate  characters.     With  the  few  who  came  with  him  to 

11* 


126  KANSAS. 

Lawrence,  he  was  attending  a  meeting  some  miles  from  home,  but 
hearing  that  Lawrence  was  in  imminent  peril,  without  going  to 
his  home,  or  being  sure  that  the  word  he  sent  his  family  would 
reach  them,  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  came  to  our  relief. 

Another  clergyman  from  Vermont,  with  others,  came  in  to 
breakfast  this  morning.  So  the  time  has  come  again  when  men, 
whose  vocation  it  is  to  preach  the  word  of  truth,  and  to  battle 
heroically  in  fierce  struggles  with  error,  have  girded  on  another 
sword  than  that  of  the  spirit ;  and  if  the  victory  is  to  be  won  by 
sharp  fighting,  while  they  "  pray  and  watch  "  they  work,  too  —  the 
working  evincing  the  spirit  of  the  prayer. 

The  times  seem  strange  !  Ministers  of  the  gospel  of  peace  buck 
ling  on  the  armor  which  is  to  insure  them  physical  safety !  Two 
thousand  years  have  passed  away  since  the  angel-choirs  rejoiced 
together,  ushering  in  the  glad  news  of  a  new  gospel,  and  the  tid 
ings  of  good-will  and  peace  reverberating  over  Judea's  hills. 
When  will  men  learn  the  lesson  ?  With  our  defence  strong  and 
secure,  made  fully  known  to  our  foes,  there  will  be  no  bloodshed. 
So  we  all  feel,  and  things  which  seem  warlike  are  in  reality  peace- 
bearing  measures. 

Another  event  happened  last  night,  which  occasioned  uneasiness, 
viz.,  the  appearance  of  McCrea,  an  escaped  prisoner,  in  our 
midst.  His  presence,  were  it  known  to  the  enemy,  would  be  a 
new  source  of  difficulty,  and  at  once  cause  an  outbreak.  Few 
of  the  citizens  knew  he  was  here,  and  he  is  already  on  his  way  to 
a  land  of  safety. 

How  the  blood  boils  in  our  veins,  when  we  think  of  all  the 
indignities  imposed  upon  us  by  the  slave  power,  by  the  infamous, 
the  execrable  corruption  of  the  administration !  No  words  can 
express  the  depth  of  infamy  to  which  it  has  gone,  in  endeavoring 
to  crush  out  on  this  soil,  made  sacred  to  freedom  by  a  pledge 
inviolate,  free  speech,  free  action  and  free  men. 

McCrea  had  been  for  months  imprisoned  in  a  close,  ill-ventil 
ated  place.  A  bill  was  found  against  him  for  murder,  but  a 
change  of  venue  was  at  last  effected.  These  men, who  saw  them 
selves  about  to  be  foiled  of  their  prey  for  which  with  unabated 
eagerness  for  six  months  they  had  hunted,  had  made  preparations 


WAKARUSA  WAR — PREPARATIONS.         127 

to  take  him  from  the  jail  and  lynch  him;  when,  foreseeing  this, 
McOrea  escaped.  He  came  to  this  place,  which  has  been  re 
garded  by  all  our  friends  as  the  Sevastopol  of  Kansas,  expecting 
to  find  safety  and  repose.  But  we  can  offer  none.  The  same 
power  which  sought  his  life  so  desperately,  seeks  ours  with  the 
same  malignity.  We  abide  the  hour  with  patience,  and  feel  sure 
that  all  the  tears,  the  anxieties,  the  sleepless  nights,  and  weary 
days,  of  the  heart-stricken  wife,  now  left  in  uncertainty  as  to 
her  husband's  fate,  are  all  counted  by  Him,  "  who  seeth  the  end 
from  the  beginning,"  and  that  they  who  have  mingled  this  cup  of 
bitterness  will  find  their  reward. 

Everything  has  been  so  quiet  to-day,  having  no  extra  com 
pany,  save  some  gentlemen  to  tea,  that  we  forget  we  may  be  on 
the  verge  of  a  civil  convulsion;  that,  ere  another  Sabbath 
sun  arises,  we  may  be  homeless,  ay,  and  friendless,  if  our  ene 
mies  perform  a  tithe  of  that  they  threaten. 

A  friend  has  sat  here  all  day,  quietly  writing  for  the  eastern 
press.  He  takes  great  interest  in  the  success  of  the  cause,  and 
has  several  times  been  in  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  spying  out  the 
land.  He  has  brought  back  interesting  '^iotes  of  travel,"  and 
passed  through  some  hair-breadth  escapes.  He  has  a  genial,  happy 
nature,  peculiar  to  the  Scotch,  and,  as  he  tells  his  adventures  with 
a  slight  brogue,  and  a  quick,  rapid  utterance,  enlivened  by  his 
sense  of  the  ridiculous,  one  cannot  help  feeling  that  he  is  sur 
rounded  by  Grov.  Shannon's  half-tipsy  military,  or  hears  the 
sounds  of  music  drawn  out  of  a  violin  by  some  fierce  disciple  of 
Paganini,  and  sees  the  gaping  crowds  of  men,  armed  with  bowie- 
knives  and  pistols,  nodding  their  admiration. 

To-day  was  set  for  the  attack,  and  the  day  has  passed.  The 
weather  has  become  much  colder,  and  I  fancy  there  are  some  in 
the  camps  who  would  be  glad  if  they  were  home  again,  by  a  cheer 
ful  fire.  The  men  in  the  camps  are  getting  impatient,  but  slowly 
are  they  reinforced  in  small  numbers.  They  come  with  an  ap 
pearance  of  reluctance,  but  the  offer  of  a  dollar  and  a  half  a  day 
and  a  land  warrant  is  said  to  be  the  successful  inducement  to  aid 
in  this  infamous  invasion,  and  its  author  no  less  infamous. 


CHAPTER    X. 

WAKARUSA   WAR — INCIDENTS. 

Dec.  3d.  —  Last  evening  the  governor's  proclamation,  though 
issued  on  the  29th,  was  received.  It  is  one  mass  of  falsehoods 
and  misstatements,  and  an  incendiary  appeal  to  the  bad  passions 
of  the  border  men  to  come  in  to  assist  him  in  our  destruction. 
Jones  goes  to  him  with  most  malignant  untruths  of  a  rescue  from 
his  hands  of  the  prisoner,  by  a  band  of  forty  men,  etc.  (It  is 
now  stated  that  Coleman  was  with  the  posse,  and  armed  himself 
at  Franklin  with  pistols  and  bowie-knives  to  act  with  Jones' 
posse.)  The  rescue  was  ten  miles  from  Lawrence.  Two  men  in  the 
rescue  are  all  who  have  ever  been  citizens  of  Lawrence.  Gov. 
Shannon,  without  the  discretion  which  a  man  possessing  even  a 
common  share  of  sense  would  show,  issued  his  bloody  proclama 
tion,  which  deserves  no  place  in  the  archives  of  history,  against 
the  citizens  of  Lawrence. 

While  no  effort  has  been  made  to  make  a  single  arrest,  he  says 
they  are  in  a  state  of  rebellion  against  the  laws,  and  utters  fierce 
cries  of  "revolution,"  and  "civil  war."  We  would  that  we  had 
a  governor  less  imbecile  and  senseless. 

On  Saturday  the  immortal  Jones  came  into  town.  While  he  sat 
upon  his  horse,  bolt  upright,  looking  defiant,  his  eyes  wandered 
restlessly  here  and  there,  as  if  expecting  some  unseen  enemy,  and 
his  hands  trembled.  Some  boys,  whose  fun  was  brimming  over, 
asked  him  if  he  was  cold. 

His  thin  lips  parted,  and  an  abrupt  "No"  was  uttered. 

"Then  have  you  the  chills?"  asked  they  in  a  sympathetic  tone. 

The  same  sound,  and  the  same  monosyllable,  only  a  little  more 
abrupt  and  stern,  was  issued. 


WAKARUSA    WAR  —  INCIDENTS.  129 

He  evidently  did  not  like  the  Yankee  sympathy  when  such 
weighty  matters  were  resting  on  his  shoulders.  But,  being  asked 
what  he  wanted  in  Lawrence,  he  replied,  "  I  will  let  you  know 
when  I  get  ready."  Then,  putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  wheeled 
around,  amid  the  laugh  of  the  three  or  four  frolicksome  youths, 
and  the  blue  coat  of  the  Missourian  was  last  seen  going  over  the 
hill  on  the  way  to  Lecompton.  He  had  made,  in  his  estimation, 
no  doubt,  a  fearful  escape  from  the  stronghold  of  the  rebels. 

Yesterday,  the  rumors  of  war  being  still  rife,  and  so  many 
citizens  of  the  near  settlements  having  come  in,  arrangements  were 
made  for  the  companies  to  go  into  barracks.  The  large  dining- 
hall  of  the  new  hotel  being  fitted  up  with  stoves,  several  of  the 
companies  will  occupy  it,  while  others  have  a  "  soldier's  home  "  in 
the  hall  which  has  been  used  for  school-room,  church,  etc.  The 
quartermaster  and  commissary-general  have  been  appointed.  Beef 
and  corn  are  brought  in  in  large  quantities,  and  preparations  are 
being  made  for  a  siege. 

The  soldiers  are  drilling  out  on  the  prairie,  and  under  the  com 
mand  of  Col.  Lane,  who  has  seen  actual  service  and  hard  fighting 
in  Mexico.  Their  evolutions  are  well  performed.  .As  we  look 
upon  them,  going  through  the  drill  soberly,  without  noise,  and  no 
rabble  of  boys  following,  we  feel  that,  before  yielding  to  the 
unjust  exactions  of  a  partisan  government,  they  would  meet 
death. 

There  is  young  manhood  in  the  ranks,  and  some  who  have  not 
yet  counted  their  score  of  years;  but  the  mantle  of  discretion 
and  prudence  has  fallen  upon  them.  The  blood  of  76  runs  ia 
their  veins,  and  the  fires  of  its  unquenched  love  of  liberty 
sparkle  in  their  eyes. 

We  are  yet  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand  who  "  hates  the  op 
pressor,"  and  "  the  crooked  ways  before  us  He  will  make  straight." 
A  Mr.  N.,  of  Vermont,  is  just  in.  He  called  to  see  doctor 
a  few  moments  since,  and  has  now  returned  with  him  from  the 
council-room,  and  will  make  our  house  his  home.  He  brings  news 
of  our  pleasant  Scotch  friend,  who  left  us  this  morning  on  another 
tour  of  observation,  in  the  enemy's  camp.  He  met  him  at 
"  Fish's,"  some  two  miles  below  the  ford,  on  the  Wakarusa,  of 


130  KANSAS. 

which  the  enemy  have  taken  possession,  having  escaped  from  their 
hands.  They  recognized  him  as  some  one  from  Lawrence,  he 
having  been  so  frequently  in  their  camp.  They  disarmed  him  at 
first ;  but,  on  his  threatening  them  with  proceedings,  they  returned 
the  pistol,  and  he  is  now  on  his  way  to  report  to  Gov.  Shannon  the 
conduct  of  his  militia.  As  they  kept  him  a  good  while  in  camp, 
he  learned  much  of  their  method  of  proceeding.  Sentries  are 
posted  at  all  the  fords  on  the  Wakarusa,  with  strict  orders  to 
search  and  disarm  every  one  attempting  to  pass.  An  old  gentle 
man  from  Lawrence  is  a  prisoner  in  their  camp.  They  keep  him 
bound. 

Mr.  P.  attempted  to  persuade  Mr.  N.  to  go  further  up  the 
river  before  attempting  to  cross,  it  being  utter  folly  to  try  to  get 
past  them  at  that  point ;  but,  by  a  most  skilful  manoeuvre,  he 
blinded  the  enemy  in  gallant  style,  and  came  through  bearing 
important  despatches. 

He  has  a  very  military  air  about  him,  and,  as  he  reined  in  his 
horse  a  moment,  then  dashing  in  among  the  rough  outposts  at  the 
crossing,  and,  in  a  stern  voice,  said,  "  Why  don't  you  demand  the 
countersign?"  they  looked  astonished,  and  he  passed  through. 
They  evidently  supposed  him  to  be  one  of  their  officers.  Coming, 
as  they  have,  from  several  different  counties,  the  majority  of  the 
men  and  officers  are  strangers  to  each  other. 

In  the  camp  Mr.  N.  gave  the  military  salute,  and  commenced 
an  easy  off-hand  talk  with  the  men.  One  of  the -unshaven  apolo 
gies  for  manhood  asked,  "  Did  you  see  many  of  our  boys  coming?" 

Mr.  N.  replied,  "  No,  I  saw  more  returning ;  "  as  he  in  fact 
met  fifty,  whose  faces  were  set  homewards,  their  patience  being 
wearied  out  with  waiting  for  the  gathering  together  of  their 
sheriff's  posse. 

The  questioner,  with  downcast  look,  then  said,  "  Then  we 
may  as  well  give  it  up ;  for  the  Lawrence  boys  will  take  us 
like  mice." 

When  some  of  the  men  very  blandly  asked  if  they  should  take 
care  of  his  horse,  his  reply,  that  "  he  thought  he  would  look  around 
a  little  first,"  satisfied  them,  and  he  pursued  his  journey. 

He  soon  reached  the  village  of  Franklin,  where  fifty  or  more  of 


WAKARUSA  WAR  —  INCIDENTS.  131 

these  men  were  loitering,  and  attending  most  assiduously  upon, 
some  half  a  dozen  groceries.  It  seemed  at  first  a  matter  of  some 
doubt  whether  he  could  pass  them ;  but,  with  the  military  salute, 
and  gracefully  bowing,  he  went  on  unmolested,  and  reached  us  in 
safety. 

Another  fact  of  some  moment,  learned  to-day,  is  that  as  the 
invaders  pass  the  Shawnee  Mission,  they  are  all  enrolled  by  the 
governor. 

One's  indignation  would  exceed  every  other  feeling  were  it  not 
for  the  wonder  that  any  man  can  be  guilty  of  such  consummate 
folly ! 

Spies  from  the  enemy's  camp  are  in  Lawrence  every  day.  They 
gain  all  the  information  they  can,  which,  I  judge  from  the  mer 
riment  of  the  guard,  in  talking  over  the  visit  of  a  spy,  is  not  always 
so  reliable  as  it  might  be. 

Dr.  Wood  has  moved  his  family  out  of  town.  So,  also,  have 
other  pro-slavery  men.  Dr.  Wood  is  in  the  camp  of  the  enemy. 
A  young  man,  who  claims  to  be  free-state,  has  repeatedly  warned 
a  lady  of  his  acquaintance  —  a  widow  with  small  children  —  of 
the  approaching  onset,  and  that  no  one  in  the  town  will  be  safe 
from  indiscriminate  slaughter.  He  begs  of  her  to  remove  to  a 
pro-slavery  residence,  a  mile  out,  and  there  he  will  insure  her- 
safety. 

She  sends  her  children  to  the  proposed  place  of  security  to 
sleep ;  but,  like  a  true  woman,  remains  at  home,  to  perform  those 
duties  which  the  hour  renders  imperative. 

This  youth,  who,  notwithstanding  his  protestations  of  being  a 
free-state  man,  has  had  a  wondrous  fellow-feeling  for  the  pro- 
slavery  party,  —  opening  his  house  for  their  storage  of  provisions  at 
the  time  of  the  first  invasion,  —  now  complains  of  illness,  and 
neither  comes  into  town,  nor  goes  down  to  the  enemy's  camp. 
Another  man,  a  Mr.  Cox,  who  has  been  strong  in  his  expressions 
of  sympathy  with  the  free-state  cause,  is  now  a  spy  among  us. 
He  has  hoisted  upon  his  store  a  sign  telling  who  he  is,  and  asking 
that  his  property  may  not  be  destroyed. 

Our  fair-weather  friends  are  now  obliged  to  show  their  true 
colors,  and  the  certain  knowledge  of  their  treachery  is  worth  much 


132  KANSAS. 

to  a  community  situated  as  we  are.  Eighty  men  from  Topeka  have 
arrived. 

4-tk.  —  Early  morning  calls  are  all  I  see  of  the  doctor  now,  as 
there  is  continually  something  in  the  council-room  to  demand 
attention,  and  last  night  they  held  a  council  of  war  to  decide  upon 
what  further  measures  shall  be  taken  for  our  defence. 

Forts  and  entrenchments  are  to  be  thrown  up,  under  the  direc 
tion  of  Col.  Lane.  Reports  have  come  in  of  three  hundred  men 
between  here  and  Westport,  three  hundred  at  the  Wakarusa,  some 
two  hundred  now  crossing  the  Delaware  Reserve  towards  Law 
rence,  —  the  Platte  County  Rifles  being  of  the  number,  —  making 
in  all  a  force  eight  hundred  strong  for  the  destruction,  the  annihi 
lation  of  Lawrence. 

Our  guard  are  now  fired  upon  nightly.  Last  night  a  bullet 
passed  through  the  hat  of  one  of  the  guard,  instead  of  his  head, 
for  which  it  was  doubtless  intended. 

The  chilly  breath  of  the  last  few  days  has  given  place  to  the 
warm,  balmy  airs  of  September.  I  watch  the  guard  upon  the 
hills,  and  stationed  at  different  points  in  the  prairies  —  foot  guard 
as  well  as  mounted.  Some  are  standing  quietly,  while  the  two 
hours  of  some  others  have  expired,  and  they  are  going  through  a 
rapid  change  of  position.  There  are  horsemen,  also  wagons,  pass 
ing  up  over  the  Lecompton  road,  to  reinforce  the  company  at 
Lecompton,  and  swift  riders  are  going  in  and  out  of  town,  while 
the  flag  —  the  sign  of  invasion — floats  over  our  house.  This 
flag  was  run  up  days  ago,  and  can  be  seen  at  a  great  distance. 

In  the  midst  of  my  reveries  arising  from  all  this  strange  scene, 
the  uncouth  face  of  a  Missourian  presented  itself  close  by  me, 
only  the  window  between.  That  we  looked  at  each  other,  I  am 
sure,  and  from  the  looks  of  his  physiognomy,  and  from  a  certainty 
as  to  the  nature  of  my  own  feelings,  I  am  equally  sure  neither  of 
us  were  pleased.  He,  however,  seemed  strongly  attracted  towards 
the  house,  was  only  content  after  taking  a  general  survey  of 
three  sides  of  itx  and  came  a  little  nearer  than  any  rules  of  pro 
priety  would  allow.  He  passed  on,  at  length,  and  seated  himself 
in  the  tall  grass  on  the  top  of  the  hill  for  half  an  hour.  He  was 
evidently  a  spy,  not  upon  us  only,  but  the  whole  town. 


WAKARUSA   WAR  —  INCIDENTS.  133 

While  we  were  at  dinner,  two  other  men,  evidently  in  authority, 
rode  out  on  the  point  of  the  hill,  to  take  a  survey  of  the  town. 
They  rode  very  slowly  past  the  house,  examining  the  whole  prem 
ises,  and  looking  backwards,  until  they  reached  the  summit  of  the 
hill  beyond.  It  looked  like  a  silent  threat,  coming  at  the  hour, 
too,  when  they  supposed  we  would  have  company  to  dine,  and  the 
leaders  of  the  defence. 

Just  before  noon  one  of  the  "  staff"  (just  appointed)  came  up, 
and,  upon  my  opening  the  door,  he  said,  "  Good-morning,  Mrs.  R.; 
the  doctor  sent  me  after  his  horse ;  "  and,  as  he  vaulted  into  his  sad 
dle,  with  a  ringing  laugh  he  said,  "  Excuse  me,  Mrs.  R.,  I  meant 
the  general." 

So  I  suppose  that  the  quiet  doctor,  who  has  always  been  re 
marked  for  the  meekness  of  his  bearing,  is  metamorphosed  into  a 
general.  He  was  appointed  last  evening.  To  the  never-failing 
question,  "  Is  there  anything  new  ?  "  he  tells  me,  "  The  men  are 
anxious  to  form  companies  of  riflemen,  and  go  down  to  Franklin;" 
that  "  with  one  round  the  Missourians  would  fly  like  frightened 
hares."  "  The  people  are  getting  impatient,  and  nothing  but  giv 
ing  up  their  position,  of  acting  strictly  upon  the  defensive,  keeps 
them  from  driving  them  out  of  the  borders." 

Soldiers  are  on  drill  all  the  afternoon.  A  cavalry  company  is 
also  formed.  There  are  about  four  hundred  armed  men  in  Law 
rence  now,  and  if  there  is  a  fight  there  will  be  terrible  slaughter 
among  the  Missourians.  This  they  know,  and  they  are  still  waiting 
for  reinforcements.  What  an  unheard  of  sheriff's  posse  this  will 
be  !  The  companies  have  been  firing  at  a  mark  set  on  the  hill 
near  us,  and  the  rifle-balls  went  far  beyond. 

5th.  —  More  than  a  week  has  passed  since  an  attack  was  threat 
ened,  and  not  one  blow  has  been  struck  yet.  I  was  awakened 
early  this  morning  —  about  four  o'clock  —  by  a  loud  knocking  at 
the  door.  It  was  quickly  opened.  Mr.  P.  and  our  Scotch  friend  — 
whose  name  has  also  the  same  initial  letter  —  have  had  narrow  es 
capes  from  the  enemy,  and  an  escape  less  fearful  from  a  grave  in 
the  Kansas.  They  were  dripping  wet,  and  so  chilled  with  the  water 
and  the  keen  air,  that  the  stove  heat  did  little  good,  and  they 
12 


134  KANSAS. 

soon  tried  a  warm  bed,  leaving  me  to  dry  their  clothes,  papers,  and 
money,  which  were  all  thoroughly  soaked. 

After  Mr.  N.,  who  arrived  here  on  Monday,  left  "  Fish's,"  the 
brave  Scotchman  started  for  the  mission,  to  bring  his  grievances 
before  the  governor.  He  was  not  at  the  mission,  and,  hearing  he 
was  at  Westport,  he  followed  on,  went  to  the  hotels,  but  could  find 
him  nowhere.  He  learned  there,  however,  that  Gov.  Shannon  had 
received  instructions  from  Washington,  authorizing  his  proceed 
ings,  and  that  many  more  are  going  to  his  aid  from  Westport ; 
large  numbers  having  already  congregated  there  from  the  border 
towns.  He  heard  many  of  their  plans  thoroughly  discussed,  as  he 
sat  by,  the  substance  of  which  seems  to  be  that  there  shall  be  a 
war,  that  the  rescuers  shall  be  delivered  up,  that  all  arms  shall  be 
given  up,  the  leaders  lynched,  and  the  others  driven  from  the  coun 
try.  He  heard  men  high  in  authority  say,  that  "  now  was  the 
time  ;  the  river  was  just  about  to  close  ;  no  reinforcements  could 
arrive  for  the  free-state  men  ;  there  were  only  some  thirty-five  hun 
dred  of  them  in  the  territory,  and  if  they  were  not  cut  off  now, 
they  never  could  be  ;  that  slavery  must  and  should  go  into  Kan 
sas  ;  that  they  would  have  Kansas,  though  they  have  to  wade  to 
their  knees  in  blood  to  get  it ;  that  they  should  fight,  and  let  the 
Union  go  to  the  d — 1 !  "  Judge  Johnson,  and  a  young  man  who 
recently  came  with  him,  had  been  arrested,  and  the  threats  were 
not  few  that  they  would  be  lynched  in  a  few  days. 

Learning  that  the  governor  had  left  Westport,  our  friend  pur 
sued  his  journey  towards  Kansas  city ;  and,  when  about  half  way 
there,  was  again  arrested  by  a  band  of  armed  men.  They  said,  to 
his  query,  "  By  what  authority  am  I  a  prisoner  ?  "  "  By  Gov. 
Shannon's  orders."  They  seemed  a  little  puzzled  at  his  pertinent 
remark  upon  this  information,  "  You  forget,  gentlemen,  that  we 
are  in  Missouri ;  "  and,  in  the  moment  of  wavering  which  followed, 
our  friend  hoped  that  the  scales  would  turn  in  his  favor,  and  he 
be  allowed  to  go  quietly  on  his  way.  But  the  fiat  had  gone  forth. 
No  one  but  a  known  pro-slavery  man,  or  the  territorial  authori 
ties,  who  are  given  over,  with  all  their  interests,  to  the  furthering 
of  the  nefarious  schemes  of  Atchison  and  Stringfellow,  can  travel 
safely  in  the  territory,  or  in  Missouri.  Our  friend  was  conducted 


WAKARUSA    WAR  —  INCIDENTS.  135 

to  a  house  a  little  way  from  the  road,  and,  as  he  stood  before  the 
fire,  hearing  their  expressions  of  glee  at  the  capture  of  some  prom 
inent  free-state  men,  and  their  threats  of  soon  lynching  them,  also 
ruminating  upon  his  own  chances  of  escape,  he  espied  upon  one  of 
them  a  sign  of  membership  of  an  odd-fellow's  lodge.  He  made 
to  him  the  sign  of  distress,  and,  by  the  rules  of  the  order,  he  was 
bound  to  protect  him.  This  man  at  once  interested  himself.  Be 
said  to  the  others,  the  examination  of  the  prisoner  must  be  pri 
vate,  and  he  must  make  it.  The  rest  of  the  ruffians  agreed  to  it, 
and,  in  a  room  by  themselves,  he  took  the  papers  in  his  hand, 
which  the  prisoner  gave  him,  then  returned  them,  and  said,  "  His 
life  has  been  saved  at  his  own  peril." 

This  examination  was  made  somewhat  superficially,  and  with 
apologies.  The  next  morning,  through  the  interposition  of  this 
brother  odd-fellow,  the  prisoner  was  released,  the  odd-fellow  tak 
ing  his  hand  at  parting,  and  asking  his  pardon.  He  said,  also, 
"  Don't  think  hard  of  me,  brother.  I  have  done  all  I  could.  You 
were  in  danger,  and  I  had  two  duties  to  perform.  I  am  a  member 
of  another  order,  and  am  bound  to  act,  and  dare  not  refuse.  Nor 
do  I  want  to.  I  am  a  border  ruffian,  nor  am  I  ashamed  of  it.  We 
shall  have  Kansas  —  we  won't  be  cheated  out  of  it.  When  they 
passed  the  Kansas  bill,  the  pledge  to  us  was  that  the  South  should 
have  Kansas,  and  the  North  Nebraska ;  but  the  d — d  emigrant 
aid  societies,  and  other  abolitionists,  expect  to  cheat  us  out  of  it. 
But  they  can't.  We  are  going  to  have  Kansas,  if  we  wade  to  the 
knees  in  blood  to  get  it." 

After  reaching  Kansas  city,  our  friend,  in  company  with  Mr. 
P.,  left  for  Lawrence.  As  it  was  impossible  to  go  by  Westport, 
they  crossed  the  river  about  a  mile  from  Kansas  city,  and  came 
up  the  north  side,  thus  being  obliged  to  cross  again  at  Lawrence. 
As  they  went  into  the  ferry-boat,  two  men,  whom  they  had  seen 
hanging  about  the  hotel  at  Kansas,  were  sitting  on  the  bank.  On 
seeing  them,  they  arose  and  hastily  took  the  direction  towards 
Kansas  city.  The  evident  plan  was  to  go  back  to  Westport,  and 
there  get  a  crowd  to  intercept  them  as  they  should  pass  through 
the  Delaware  Reserve.  By  taking  the  Indian  trails,  now  one,  and 
then  another,  they  reached  a  friendly  mission-house,  where  an 


136  KANSAS. 

Indian  guide  was  furnished  them.  At  about  ten  o'clock  they  left 
there  for  Lawrence,  twenty-six  miles  lying  between  them  arid  the 
end  of  their  route.  As  noiselessly  as  possible  they  pursued  their 
way  through  the  woods  and  darkness.  They  moved  on  stealthily 
as  men  would  whose  lives  were  in  hourly  peril  from  the  enemy 
seen  and  unseen.  Our  young  friend,  having  already  been  twice  in 
their  hands,  could  have  little  to  hope  for  on  a  third  arrest.  When 
within  three  miles  of  Lawrence,  they  came  upon  a  camp-fire  which 
had  been  recently  left,  but  saw  no  one.  The  Indian  overheard 
them  talking  of  forcing  their  way  through  the  guard,  should  they 
come  upon  one,  in  preference  to  being  taken  into  their  camp,  and 
refused  to  go  further.  Every  inducement  offered  was  unavailing. 
So,  without  a  guide,  chilled  with  the  keen  night  air,  weary  with  the 
excitement  and  want  of  rest,  they  pressed  on. 

Before  this,  however,  the  question  of  the  ford  at  Lawrence  had 
been  discussed.  Mr.  P.  had  "  never  been  over,  but  he  thought  he 
knew  where  it  was."  The  young  traveller  "  had  seen  people  cross, 
and  perhaps  he  could  find  it."  And  now  the  ford  was  reached. 
The  ferryman  lived  in  Lawrence,  the  other  side  of  the  river. 
The  enemy  might  be  lurking  behind  any  of  these  trees.  It  would 
not  do  to  halloo  for  the  boat,  and  the  ford  must  be  attempted  on 
horseback. 

Mr.  P.  said  to  the  very  slenderly-built  young  man,  who  was 
mounted  on  a  little  Indian  pony,  "You  go  in  first."  He  replied 
to  the  other,  who  rode  a  strong  horse,  and  is  himself  of  aldermanic 
proportions,  "  I  do  not  know  the  ford.  I  have  only  seen  people 
cross." 

But  delays  were  dangerous,  and  the  young  man  thought  "  it 
would  not  be  right  to  urge  such  an  old  man  to  encounter  the  dan 
gers  first,"  and  gently  urged  his  little  pony  in.  The  channel  was 
very  deep,  and  the  waters  swift.  He  was  carried  into  the  current, 
and  was  being  borne  rapidly  down.  He  was  swept  out  of  the  sad 
dle,  and  held  on  by  the  pommel.  He  struggled  long  in  the  water, 
and  for  a  few  moments  he  thought  "  the  Tribune  would  require 
another  Kansas  correspondent."  At  last,  by  extraordinary  effort, 
he  was  again  on  terra  firma,  having  for  several  moments  only  been 
able  to  keep  his  head  above  water. 


WAKARUSA   WAR  —  INCIDENTS.  137 

Mr.  P.,  in  the  mean  time,  went  in  a  little  way,  but,  seeing  the 
desperate  condition  of  his  friend,  returned  to  the  shore.  The 
young  Scotchman  said,  in  his  facetious  way,  "  I  was  so  thoroughly 
chilled  and  exhausted  then,  I  had  as  lieve  fall  into  the  enemy's 
hands  as  die  so,  and  we  hallooed  for  the  boat  for  half  an 
hour." 

Word  came  this  morning  from  Franklin  that  teams,  loaded 
with  freight  for  our  merchants  here,  had  been  overhauled  at  the 
camp  on  the  Wakarusa.  All  powder  and  ammunition  were  taken 
from  them,  while  the  wagons,  loaded  wholly  with  apples,  potatoes 
and  flour,  were  stopped  entirely,  and  not  allowed  to  proceed.  So 
they  intend  to  starve  us  out,  or  make  us  surrender. 

The  hot  blood  of  some  of  our  men  chafes  at  these  indignities, 
and  they  can  hardly  be  restrained  from  an  attack  upon  the  camp, 
leaving  not  one  to  tell  the  tale  of  the  infamous  invasion. 

A  despatch  must  be  sent  to  Washington,  and  Mr.  P.  accepts 
the  mission.  He  is  to  go  through  Iowa,  and  will  leave  this  after 
noon,  but  thinks  he  must  go  to  Kansas  city  first.  We  attempt  to 
dissuade  him,  knowing  the  dangers  of  the  route,  which  thicken 
every  hour. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  he  left  for  Kansas  city,  going  through 
the  Reserve,  to  go  thence  to  Iowa. 

Soon  after  he  went,  I  called  upon  some  new  neighbors  in  the 
valley  west  of  us.  They  are  western  people,  and  the  lady  espe 
cially  has  the  western  peculiarities  of  speech. 

She  was  sweeping  the  door- way  as  I  approached  the  little  log 
cabin  ;  and,  never  having  seen  her,  I  said,  "  Good-afternoon.  Is 
it  Mrs. :?" 

"  Yes  ;  come  in,"  was  the  hearty  reply. 

There  was  wealth  of  good-nature  and  a  whole-souled  welcome 
in  the  very  manner  of  the  greeting.  As  I  stepped  in,  I  told  her 
who  I  was  ;  but,  rather  in  doubt  as  to  who  I  might  be,  she  said, 
"  Mrs.  or  Miss  ?  " 

Although  I  replied  Mrs.,  she  looked  still  doubtful,  and  said,  "  Do 
you  live  in  the  house  on  the  hill  ?  " 

My  reply  being  in  the  affirmative,  and  my  identity  being  dis 
tinctly  understood,  we  sat  down  and  talked  of  the  war.  In  the 
12* 


138  KANSAS. 

mean  time  I  noticed  with  how  little  room  one  can  make  comfort  and 
draw  enjoyment.  There  were  two  beds,  one  double  and  the  other 
single,  looking  so  nicely  with  their  white  spreads  and  clean  linen. 
There  were  table,  stove  and  book-case,  all  in  the  same  small  room. 
There  were  white  curtains  at  the  one  little  window ;  and  the  room 
was  really  so  small,  that  at  meals  they  were  obliged  to  sit  down 
around  the  table  before  the  leaves  were  spread,  having  everything 
placed  on  the  middle  of  it. 

They  say  they  would  rather  live  in  Iowa,  where  they  came 
from.  They  do  not  like  to  live  where  there  is  so  much  disturb 
ance,  and,  when  the  husband  and  father  is  from  home,  they  are 
continually  fearful  lest  some  evil  has  befallen  him. 

He  soon  came  in.  He  is  a  tall,  blue-eyed  man,  of  most  pre 
possessing  appearance,  a  native  of  Georgia,  and  has  come  to  add 
his  influence  in  the  early  settlement  of  his  country,  hoping  to 
plant  all  the  institutions  of  freedom.  He  said  "  he  had  looked 
with  indescribable  interest  upon  all  the  means  taken  for  our 
defence,  and  though  as  a  minister  he  could  not  bear  arms,  he  still 
has  faith  in  Cromwell's  motto,  'Trust  in  God,  and  keep  your 
powder  dry.'  " 

As  we  were  talking  of  the  war,  Mrs. said,  with  her  clear, 

ringing  voice,  "  What  does  your  old  man  think  of  it  ?  " 

I  answered  as  well  as  I  could,  and  am  amused  at  this  appella 
tion,  purely  western,  she  has  given  my  husband. 

The  Missourians  threaten  to  kill  all  our  men,  and  save  the 
women  for  a  more  bitter  fate ;  and  the  black  flag,  now  waving 
over  their  camp,  is  eminently  suggestive  of  their  piratical  designs, 
—  plunder,  blood  and  rapine. 

The  evening  was  cold  and  dark,  and  chilly  gusts  of  wind  swept 
around  the  house,  flapping  the  flag  wildly,  while  the  staff  strikes 
against  the  roof.  The  wind  creeps  in  too  through  the  half-inch 
siding,  and  the  stove  continually  cries  "  more  wood." 

A1.!  this  reminds  us  of  chilly  days  coming,  and  of  the  cold 
winds,  and  snows,  against  which  the  unplastered  houses  are  a 
poor  defence ;  and  we  realize  that  this  invasion,  let  it  end  as  it 
may,  is  not  only  a  source  of  suffering  in  the  present,  but  in  the 
future  will  be  the  occasion  of  distress,  to  this  persecuted  people. 


WAKARUSA   WAR — INCIDENTS.  139 

Now  is  the  time  when  they  ought,  and  would  be,  preparing  for 
winter. 

As  we  looked  out  into  the  chilly  night,  we  saw  the  great  fires 
blazing  around  the  forts,  and  the  men  busily  plying  their  shovels. 
Night  and  day,  taking  turns  by  fifties,  with  unabated  ardor,  the 
work  goes  on.  There  will  be  five  strong  forts  commanding  the 
river  and  all  the  entrances  to  the  town. 

The  men,  as  they  work  the  hard-frozen  earth,  think  of  home, 
wife  and  little  ones.  Some  are  here,  but  some  are  far  away,  not 
dreaming  of  the  dire  evils  which  threaten  the  loved  one.  They 
think  of  their  country  and  their  God,  and  courage  and  the  con 
sciousness  of  doing  well  fill  the  heart,  and  strength  nerves  the 
arm.  A  tyranny  less  outrageous  than  this  was  overthrown  by 
their  fathers,  and  shall  they  falter  when  more  precious  rights  are 
in  peril  ? 

As  the  faithful  time-piece  says  the  night  is  fast  waning  towards 
its  mid  hour,  there  is  a  welcome  knock  at  the  door,  and,  opening 
it,  I  find  our  Scotch  friend  is  standing  close  to  the  door,  with  a  long 
rifle  by  his  side.  I  had  tried  to  persuade  him  not  to  go  down 
town  after  so  much  excitement  and  weariness  of  the  last  two  days 
and  nights ;  but  his  enthusiasm  in  the  cause  will  not  let  him  rest, 
—  besides,  he  is  one  of  the  general's  aids,  and  has  been  attending 
the  council  of  war  held  this  evening.  He  says,  "It  is  decided  to 
send  a  messenger  to  Gov.  Shannon,  to  ask  him  what  is  the  mean 
ing  of  this  armed  body  of  men  quartered  near  our  town ;  why 
he  allows  them  to  commit  robberies  upon  our  people  and  harass 
travellers,  disarming  them  and  taking  them  prisoners  ;  requesting 
him  also  to  order  their  removal."  To  my  inquiries,  Mr.  P.  said, 
"  There  is  danger  in  the  undertaking,  but  L.  and  B.  are  going. 
They  are  acquainted  with  the  governor,  and  they  know  the  pass 
word."  We  hope  they  may  get  through  without  detention. 

After  making  beds  upon  the  floor,  and  putting  extra  blankets 
on  the  lounge  for  any  who  may  drop  in  for  a  nap  before  morning, 
replenishing  the  fire,  I  leave  for  my  own  room.  And  before  sleep 
ing,  I  wonder  if  we  do  indeed  live  in  America,  —  the  so-much- 
boasted  land,  —  or  whether,  in  her  prosperity,  her  love  of  power 
and  aggrandizement  has  proved  the  grave  of  all  honor,  patriotism 


140  KANSAS. 

and  love  of  freedom.  The  question  will  arise,  also,  whether  Gov. 
Shannon's  heart  has  become  a  stony  heart,  thus  to  bring  a  force 
against  his  own  people.  This  has  puzzled  wiser  brains  than  mine, 
and  so  I  sleep,  restlessly.  I  dream  of  a  royal  palace  where  there 
are  men  sitting.  They  are  steeped  in  wine.  There  is  revelry  and 
confusion.  They  talk  boldly  of  the  evil  deeds  with  which  their 
lives  are  filled,  and  they  swear  they  will  fill  up  the  measure  of 
their  wickedness.  They  ask  aid  of  one  who  seems  to  be  in  author 
ity  ;  and  with  the  brimming  beaker  he  pledges  them  he  will  go 
with  them  heart  and  soul  in  their  deeds  of  blood.  What  to  him 
is  his  plighted  honor  to  a  great  people,  or  what  murdered  inno 
cence  and  the  cries  of  heart-stricken  widows  and  orphans,  whose 
homes  are  made  desolate  by  the  strong  arm  of  the  oppressor  ? 
Naught  to  him  are  these  ;  so  he  retains  the  seat  in  the  royal 
palace  which  he  has-  disgraced,  and  is  the  representative  of  the 
law  he  has  rendered  a  sad  mockery.  But  the  wine-cup  falls,  his 
knees  knock  together,  his  glaring  eyes  are  fixed,  and  on  the  wall 
are  characters  written  in  living  colors,  unseen  by  all  save  him ; 
but  the  bony,  bloodless  hand  —  death's  hand  —  writes,  and  the 
words  burn  his  soul,  "  Mene,  mene,  tekel,  upharsin." 

The  dream  is  over,  and  with  the  waking  comes  a  realization 
that  the  days  of  the  tyrant  will  end,  as  surely  as  revolution  is 
born  of  oppression ;  peace  and  quiet  springing  from  the  broken 
system  of  tyranny,  as  surely  as  morning  cometh  from  the  night, 
and  strength  is  born  of  sorrow. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER — THE  TREATY. 

Dec,  Qtk.  —  Thursday.  We  were  awakened  again,  long  before 
daylight.  Some  friends  have  had  a  long  journey  from  the  country 
above.  They  were  not  considered  safe  here,  and  had  gone  far 
away,  but  they  heard  that  Lawrence  had  been  attacked,  doctor 
and  fifteen  others  killed;  and  thinking  that  the  war  had  fairly 
opened,  they  had  walked  thirty  miles  in  the  last  few  hours,  that 
they  might  with  their  friends  strike  and  die  for  liberty. 

The  guard  are  again  fired  upon,  and  more  of  our  messengers  to 
different  parts  of  the  territory  and  to  the  states  taken  prisoners. 
Horsemen,  in  companies  of  four  and  six,  are  continually  ridino-  over 
the  hills.  They  are  the  leading  men  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy ; 
and  we  hear  their  design  is  to  plant  their  artillery  on  Mt.  Oread, 
and  take  this  house  for  barracks.  They  seem  to  be  looking  around 
with  the-  intention  of  concluding  their  plans.  We  feel  perfectly 
safe  so  far  as  the  planting  of  their  artillery  is  concerned.  Not 
one  man  could  stand  before  the  deadly  fire  of  the  Sharpe's  rifles, 
from  the  town  or  ravine.  The  Missourians  are  still  slowly  gather 
ing  in  at  Lecompton,  and  the  camp  near  Franklin,  and  the  new 
one  on  the  Wakarusa,  south  of  us,  and  only  about  four  miles 
from  town.  Our  supplies  are  cut  off.  People  are  turned  from 
their  homes  at  midnight,  and  their  corn-cribs  and  hay-stacks 
burned. 

Some  other  gentlemen  also  dined  with  us.  They  were  unex 
pected  guests,  nevertheless  welcome.  Just  before  dinner,  we  saw 
a  large  mounted  party  of  the  enemy's  force  going  over  the  hill 
beyond  us.  We  also  saw  two  men  on  the  west  side  of  the  hill,  com 
ing  cautiously  towards  the  house.  It  looked  to  us  as  though  it  were 


142  KANSAS. 

impossible  for  them  to  escape  the  observation  of  the  enemy,  and 
we  watched  them  anxiously,  almost  breathlessly,  as  they  slowly  were 
nearing  us.  The  horsemen,  fortunately,  instead  of  going  on  to  the 
summit,  kept  a  little  under  the  eastern  slope,  and,  .thank  Grod!  our 
friends  were  safe.  The  reason  of  their  coming  over  was  a  simple 
one.  They  had  been  guilty  of  aiding  in  the  rescue  of  an  innocent 
man  from  a  gang  of  desperadoes.  A  gang  of  men  had  been 
prowling  about  their  house  all  the  morning ;  not  all  in  one  body, 
but  at  different  points,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  to  excite  suspi 
cions  of  evil  intended  against  them.  Finally,  this  scouting  band 
of  the  governor's  militia  all  at  once  started  in  the  direction  of 
their  head-quarters,  and  our  friends  immediately  came  over  the 
hills,  seeking  a  safer  place.  Our  messengers  fly  back  and  forth  to 
town,  and  one  of  them  concludes  to  go  to  his  home  in  the  states, 
for  a  little  time.  We  send  to  his  wife  to  come  and  see  him,  and 
for  the  first  time  I  begin  to  feel  that  the  horrors  of  war  are  open 
ing  upon  us.  Men,  for  doing  an  act  of  kindness,  are  hunted  for 
their  lives,  and  daily  and  nightly  watching  alone  saves  them  from 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  I  go  continually  from  one 
part  of  the  house  to  the  other,  to  see  if  any  spies  are  about,  and 
once  fell  into  a  laughable  mistake.  Having  gone  up  stairs  to  have 
a  long  look  out  over  hill  and  prairie,  I  saw  a  woman  upon  the  west 
side  of  the  hill.  I  ran  down  and  said  to  the  gentlemen,  "  There 
is  a  woman  coming  to  the  house.  Will  you  step  in  the  dining-room 
and  see  if  it  is  any  one  you  would  like  to  see ;  if  not,  you  can  go 
up  stairs."  They  looked  out,  and  one  of  them  said,  "  Why,  that's 
my  wife." 

I  laughed  as  heartily  as  they,  but  did  not  diminish  my  watch 
fulness,  because  once  I  was  "  more  scared  than  hurt." 

The  men  were  at  work  on  a  part  of  the  forts,  while  some  were 
complete ;  entrenchments  were  being  thrown  up  on  each  side  of 
Massachusetts-street ;  the  soldiers  were  drilling  through  the  centre 
of  the  broad  street ;  ladies  were  standing  in  the  doorways  look 
ing  on ;  while  little  boys,  having  caught  the  general  spirit  of  a 
resort  to  arms,  were  marching  about  in  martial  array,  with  feath 
ers  in  their  paper  cocked-hats  and  imitation  guns. 

D.  R.  Atchison,  with  twenty-five  men,  was  said  to  be  crossing 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.       143 

the  reserve,  towards  the  camp  on  the  Wakarusa.  The  men  were 
anxious  to  go  out,  and  bring  him  in  a  prisoner,  but  the  general 
was  firm.  We  are  acting  only  on  the  defensive. 

The  howitzer  has  just  arrived,  and  several  men  are  guarding  it 
in  one  of  the  lower  rooms.  Some  ladies  go  in  to  look  at  the  grape 
and  bomb-shells. 

It  was  rumored  that  Mr.  P.  has  been  taken  prisoner  by  the 
Missourians,  and  taken  into  their  camp,  on  the  Wakarusa.  The 
indignation  of  the  people  is  increasing  in  intensity,  and  their  for 
bearance  growing  less.  The  twelve-pound  brass  howitzer  was 
brought  in  by  a  manoeuvre  evincing  tact  and  skill,  as  well  as 
bravery.  The  council,  having  heard  of  its  arrival  at  Kansas  city, 
decided  if  possible  it  must  be  brought  up,  and  three  or  four  of  our 
citizens,  willing  to  encounter  the  danger,  offered  their  services  for 
the  undertaking.  They  found  the  boxes  in  which  it  was  packed, 
at  the  warehouse,  consigned  to  one  of  our  merchants.  The  propri 
etor  of  the  warehouse  suggested  there  might  be  rifles  in  them, 
and,  to  quiet  all  suspicion,  Mr.  B.,  with  an  axe,  raised  a  board  from 
the  largest  box,  saying,  "  Let's  see  what  there  is." 

As  they  looked  in,  and  saw  only  wheels,  he  said,  "  It 's  only 
another  of  H.'s  carriages." 

Everything  was  satisfactory.  The  board  was  renailed.  The 
boxes  were  loaded  in  the  wagons,  with  mattresses  and  other  fur 
niture  on  the  top,  and  they  left  Kansas  city,  by  the  ferry  route. 
The  wagons  getting  set  as  they  went  up  the  steep  bank  on  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  river,  Mr.  B.  called  upon  a  band  of  Missourians, 
standing  by,  "  to  give  them  a  lift  at  the  wheels,"  which  they  did, 
an  1  without  difficulty  they  reached  Lawrence,  where  they  were 
received  with  loud  acclamations  by  the  citizens.  The  little  besieged 
town  received  with  it  good  cheer,  hope  and  courage. 

A  lady  from  Ohio,  whose  husband  has  ever  been  most  active  in 
the  free-state  cause,  and  for  whom  the  enemy  feel  no  little  bitter 
ness,  has  offered  her  little  "  shake  "  cabin,  next  the  hotel,  for  the 
general  use.  Daily  and  nightly  the  ladies  meet  there,  in  the  one 
room,  with  its  loose,  open  floor,  through  which  the  wind  creeps,  to 
make  cartridges ;  their  nimble  fingers  keeping  time  with  each  heart 
beat  for  freedom,  so  enthusiastic  are  they  in  aiding  the  defence. 


144  KANSAS. 

At  evening,  the  young  Scotchman  with  his  constant  companion, 
the  long  rifle°came  in.  He  looked  sedate,  as,  seating  himself  on 
the  lounge,  he  said,  "  The  war  has  commenced.  They  have  shot 
a  man,  about  five  miles  from  here." 

"  Who  ?  "  and  "  Is  he  dead  ?  "  were  the  questions  which  followed 
in  quick  succession. 

"A  Mr.  Barber,  one  of  the  men  who  came  in  to  our  assistance 
from  Bloomington.  He  died  almost  instantly.  It  is  said  that 
Dr.  Wood  was  in  the  crowd  that  shot  him." 

He  said  besides,  "  It  is  almost  impossible  to  restrain  the  men 
to-night.  Their  imprecations  of  vengeance  are  loud  and  deep,  and 
the  general  has  something  to  do  to  restrain  his  own  feelings.  A 
guard  have  gone  out  to  bring  in  the  body." 

The  plot  thickens.  Oar  men  are  shot  down  in  the  broad  sun 
light  by  this  ruffianly  horde.  Can  the  governor  say,  "  My  soul  is 
clear  of  my  brother's  blood?  "  The  messengers  sent  to  him  have 
returned,  and  they  come  with  the  promise  from  him  that  he  will  be 
here  to-morrow.  The  governor  sent  a  long  letter  to  General  R., 
and  others  in  command.  It  was  very  indefinite,  and  non-committal, 
and  evinced  some  tact  in  the  author,  to  write  so  much,  and  yet  say 
so  little  to  any  purpose.  Upon  one  point  alone  was  it  clear ;  that 
is,  the  enforcement  of  the  laws,  In  his  conversation  he  was  a 
little  more  definite.  He  said  he  was  unable  to  restrain  the  men, 
his  militia,  though  he  had  repeatedly  commanded  them  to  preserve 
order.  He  was  endeavoring  also  to  shake  off  the  responsibility  of 
this  Missouri  mob,  but  the  following  pass,  given  to  a  gentleman  who 
dined  with  us  to-day,  will  show  he  has  some  connection  with  it : 

"  Mr.  Jones,  Sheriff,  or  any  other  in  command.  Mr.  Winchell 
is  going,  on  business  of  his  own,  to  Lawrence  ;  please  pass  him 
without  detention  or  molestation.  WILSON  SHANNON." 

Col.  Lane  has  received  a  small  limb  of  a  tree,  with  a  bullet  in 
it,  and  hemp  bound  round  it,  from  the  enemy's  camp,  with,  the 
compliments  of  Col.  Burns,  of  Missouri.  Dr.  Wood  was  in  com 
pany  with  Burns  at  the  time  it  was  sent. 

7th.  —  The  murdered  man  was  brought  into  town  last  night,  and 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.      145 

in  his  usual  dress,  laid  upon  a  table  in  the  hotel.  His  look  was 
one  of  perfect  repose,  with  the  pallor  of  the  death  sleep.  The 
circumstances  of  his  death  show  more  clearly  than  anything  which 
has  previously  transpired,  the  malignity,  the  utter  heartlessness  of 
the  foe  with  whom  we  have  to  deal.  This  certainly  convinces  us 
that  no  mercy  will  be  shown  any  who  fall  into  their  hands. 

Mr.  Barber,  hearing  that  the  lives  of  the  people  of  Lawrence 
were  in  peril,  had  come,  with  others  in  his  neighborhood,  to  lend 
his  aid  in  making  good  our  defence.  Yesterday  he  mounted  his 
horse,  and,  bidding  his  comrades  "  Good-by,"  saying  that  he  "  would 
be  back  in  the  morning,"  wholly  unarmed,  started  for  his  home. 
Doubtless,  as  he  sped  over  the  prairies  on  his  way,  he  thought  of 
the  glad  surprise  his  coming  would  give  his  wife  after  this  few 
days'  absence,  and  with  whom,  on  leaving  for  Lawrence,  the  bit 
terness  of  the  parting,  her  unwillingness  for  him  to  go,  seemed 
but  a  foreshadowing  of  his  sad  fate.  A  little  after  he  had  left 
the  main  road,  with  his  two  friends  who  accompanied  him,  two 
horsemen  rode  out  from  a  company  of  twelve  on  the  California 
road,  Dr.  Wood  being  one  of  them.  They  told  him  to  go  with 
them.  In  reply  to  their  several  questions  he  said,  he  "  had  been 
to  Lawrence,  was  unarmed,  was  going  to  his  home ;  "  and,  putting 
spurs  to  his  horse,  rode  on  ;  but  the  deadly  bullet  of  the  foul  crea 
ture,  the  tool  of  the  administration,  entered  his  back,  and,  sayino1 
"  0  God !  I  am  a  murdered  man  !  "  he  never  spoke  again. 

The  home  to  which  he  hasted  he  never  reached,  but  his  spirit 
is  an  avenging  witness  before  the  Higher  Court,  where  all  these 
deeds  of  blood  are  held  in  remembrance. 

General  George  W.  Clarke,  the  Indian  Agent,  went  on  his  way 
to  meet  Governor  Shannon  at  the  Wakarusa  head-quarters,  and 
there  declared  with  horrid  oaths,  "  I  have  sent  another  of  these 
d — d  abolitionists  to  his  winter-quarters." 

The  feeling  that  her  husband  would  be  murdered  had  haunted 
the  timid  wife,  but  friends  kept  this  dread  knowledge  from  her 
until  this  morning. 

Words  can  never  convey  the  mingling  emotions  which  moved 
the  crowd,  or  the  heart-crushing  agony  of  the  young  wife.     There 
were  no  children  in  the  household,  and  all  the  affections  had 
13 


146  KANSAS. 

twined  around  this  one  idol.  All  of  life,  all  of  happiness,  were 
centred  in  him  ;  and  to  be  bereaved  thus,  was  adding  bitterness 
to  the  agony.  It  seemed  as  though  her  heart  must  break,  and,  in 
her  distress  and  shrieks,  the  brave,  strong-hearted  men  mingled 
tears  and  muttered  imprecations  of  vengeance  upon  the  murderers, 
and  upon  him  who  hud  brought  these  murderers  into  our  midst. 

The  hour  approached  for  the  arrival  of  the  governor,  who  is 
coming  to  treat  of  peace.  Already  he  was  corning  over  the 
prairie  with  his  suite.  The  carriage  was  a  covered  double-seated 
one,  in  which  he  occupies ,  the  back  seat.  With  horsemen  riding 
front  and  in  the  rear,  the  cavalcade  moved  on.  In  front  of  the 
hotel,  lines  of  citizen  soldiery  were  drawn  out,  and  they  knew 
there  was  a  prospect  of  a  settlement  of  these  difficulties  without 
further  bloodshed.  Can  these  men,  whose  murdered  comrade  now 
lies  within  these  walls,  make  peace  and  he  be  unavenged?  Their 
feelings  revolt  at  such  a  proposal ;  but  the  magnanimity  of  their 
leaders,  who  propose  pacification,  calms  the  troubled  waters,  and 
they  realize  that  peace  is  better  than  war,  though  the  hot  blood, 
crying  revenge,  still  chafes.  The  carriage  passed  in  through  the 
soldiery  to  the  door,  and  Gen.  Robinson  and  the  governor  went 
through  the  halls,  and  up  the  unfinished  stairways  to  the  council- 
chamber. 

As  the  eyes  of  the  governor  fell  upon  the  rigid  limbs,  and  the 
death-pallor  of  the  young  man,  who  yesterday  was  so  full  of  life, 
hope,  and  strength,  he  gave  a  perceptible  shrug  of  his  shoulders. 
The  governor's  suite  also  entered,  and  as  they  passed  the  silent 
dead,  Col.  Boone,  of  Westport,  said,  "I  did  not  expect  such  a 
thing  as  this."  What  else  could  they  expect  from  the  barbarous 
men  gathered  here  by  their  murderous  appeals  ? 

They  were  introduced  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  in  the  large 
reception-room.  Then  the  governor  and  Col.  Boone,  on  the  part 
of  the  invaders,  and  Gen.  Robinson  and  Col.  Lane,  on  the  part 
of  the  citizens,  held  a  private  session  in  the  council-chamber. 
They  talked  over  the  whole  matter.  The  governor  asked  that 
the  arms  be  delivered  up.  He  was  soon  satisfied,  however,  that 
such  conditions  of  peace  would  never  be  complied  with,  and  said  at 
last  that  such  a  demand  was  unreasonable.  The  papers  which 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.      147 

are  to  be  signed  will  be  made  out  to-night,  and  signed  by  both 
parties  on  the  morrow. 

The  governor  sent  for  troops  from  the  fort  this  morning  at  three 
o'clock.  He  wants  to  gain  time,  and  delay  signing  the  papers,  as 
he  said  that  "he  could  not  control  the  force  he  has  brought 
against  us."  "  If  they  knew  a  treaty  had  been  made,  they  would 
at  once  raise  the  black  flag,  and  inarch  against  the  town."  So,  as 
ho  is  hoping  Col.  Sumner  will  send  his  troops  for  the  defence  of 
Lawrence,  this  delay  is  made.  When  our  citizens  sent  to  him 
days  ago  for  aid,  he  refused,  because  he  had  no  orders  from  the 
President ;  and  the  question  is,  will  he  come  now  ? 

About  three  o'clock  the  governor  a,nd  suite,  consisting  of  Col. 
Boone,  of  "Westport,  Col.  Kearney,  of  Independence,  and  Col. 
Strickland,  also  of  Missouri,  with  Col.  Lane,  dined  with  us. 

The  governor  is  a  gray-haired  man,  tall  and  well-proportioned. 
He  has  coarse  features  and  a  hard-looking  face,  generally.  Nature 
must  bear  a  part  of  the  blame,  but  the  weather  and  bad  whiskey, 
doubtless,  come  in  for  a  share.  However,  mild  eyes,  and  a  good 
height  of  forehead,  show  that  naturally  he  is  not  a  cruel  man  ;  but 
his  head  lacks  firmness,  as  we  speak  phrenologically,  and  his 
course  here,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  is  evidence  that  he  is  vacillat 
ing,  weak,  ill-suited  to  be  the  leader  of  other  men;  that  he  is 
credulous,  and  easily  made  a  tool  in  the  hands  of  base  men ;  that, 
in  brief,  he  is  the  exponent  of  the  purposes  and  actions  of  the 
men,  or  party,  with  whom  he  is  most  thrown  in  contact. 

Crowds  of  horsemen  were  passing  over  and  down  the  hill. 
Some  of  them  were  our  mounted  guard  —  others  were  from  the 
camps  of  the  invaders.  The  enemy  have  now  nearly  surrounded 
us.  The  camp  on  the  Wakarusa,  just  south  of  Lawrence,  cuts  off 
connection  with  the  southern  settlements.  There  are  strollino- 
bands  of  men  all  through  the  Delaware  Keserve,  while  quite  a 
body  of  them  are  camped  in  the  woods  just  opposite  the  town, 
preventing  people  passing  to  and  from  Leavenworth,  and  other 
colonies  north.  They  still  have  camps  at  Lecompton,  and  below 
Franklin. 

Yesterday,  two  of  our  ladies  went  out  some  ten  miles,  and 
brought  in  two  kegs  of  powder.  The  guard  of  the  invaders 


148  KANSAS. 

halted  them,  but  apologized  by  saying,  "I  thought  you  were 
gentlemen." 

Some  of  the  enemy  entered  the  house  of  Judge  Wakefield,  six 
miles  from  Lawrence.  They  ransacked  it ;  and,  going  into  the 
chambers,  fired  through  the  floor,  the  ball  passing  directly  by  the 
head  of  a  sick  lady,  who  was  lying  on  a  bed  in  the  lower  room. 
They  have  committed  depredations  upon  the  property  of  the 
Indians,  at  which  they  felt  outraged.  They  are  constantly  taking 
prisoners  any  people  from  other  settlements,  coming  to  our  aid, 
unless  in  large  numbers ;  and  we  feel  constant  anxiety  for  our 
messengers  who  have  been  out  some  time. 

Coleman,  the  murderer,  fired  into  our  guard;  the  fire  was 
returned,  the  ball  taking  effect  in  the  mule  he  was  riding.  It 
died  soon  after  reaching  Franklin.  Had  the  guard  known  the 
man,  he  would  have  escaped  less  easily. 

Gov.  Shannon  was  in  town  again  to-day.  Col.  Sumner  declined 
to  send  any  force,  because  he  cannot  act  without  orders  from  the 
President.  The  treaty  was  made  with  the  people.  The  governor 
made  a  speech  to  the  soldiers,  telling  them  he  has  been  laboring 
under  a  mistake ;  that  if  there  were  Missourians  here  they  came 
of  their  own  accord ;  that  he  had  called  upon  none  but  the  people 
of  the  territory.  They  would  now  disperse.  He  believed  the 
people  of  Lawrence  were  a  law-abiding  people ;  indeed,  he  had 
learned  that  he  had  misunderstood  them,  and  that  they  were  an 
estimable  and  orderly  people.  He  was  glad  to  find  there  was  no 
occasion  for  an  attack  upon  the  town,  and  no  laws  had  been 
violated,  etc.  Cheers  were  attempted,  but  the  muffled  sound  was 
little  like  the  spontaneous,  outgushing  gladness  of  a  satisfied 
people.  There  was  yet  a  suspicion  among  them  that  the  terms 
of  peace  had  been  too  easily  entered  into ;  that  something  of  their 
rights  had  been  conceded  by  their  leaders.  The  officers  in  com 
mand  also  made  addresses,  which  more  heartily  called  forth  the 
expression  of  the  people ;  and,  with  the  governor,  Generals  Rob 
inson  and  Lane  went  down  to  Franklin  to  meet  the  officers  in  the 
invading  army.  The  governor  had  desired  them  to  do  so,  because 
many  of  the  leaders  in  his  army  were  determined  upon  the  guns 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.      149 

being  delivered  up,  and  he  wished  some  other  convincing  argu 
ments  than  his  own  to  be  used  with  them. 

The  night  was  exceedingly  tempestuous.  The  wind  raged  with 
unequalled  fury,  and  was  full  of  driving  snow  and  sleet.  All  of 
the  afternoon  it  had  been  so  strong  and  furious,  that  boards,  ten 
or  twelve  feet  long,  lying  in  a  pile  back  of  the  house,  had  been 
blovrn,  end  over  end,  in  every  direction.  But  the  night  had  added 
violence  to  the  storm,  and  scarcely  anything  could  make  headway 
against,  or  live  long  out  in  it.  Our  Scotch  friend  had  just  come 
in  with  ears  almost  frozen. 

We  pity  the  guard  who  faithfully  watch  for  our  safety  in  such 
a  wild  night  as  this.  The  password  for  the  night,  "  Pitch  in," 
given  by  our  gallant  Adjutant-General  Dietzler,  who  has  command 
in  the  temporary  absence  of  General  Robinson,  was  in  strange  con 
sonance  with  the  wildness  of  the  terrific  storm.  A  double  guard 
was  put  on,  that  each  man  might  be  oftener  relieved  from  the 
watch,  and  to  be  in  better  readiness  for  any  attack,  which  many 
fear.  The  anxiety  felt  for  the  safe  return  of  the  officers  from 
Franklin  was  intense,  so  little  faith  have  our  people  in  the  honor 
or  the  plighted  word  of  the  invaders. 

At  Franklin  Generals  Robinson  and  Lane  met  thirteen  captains 
of  the  invaders  in  a  little  room.  The  governor  made  a  long 
statement  of  the  existing  state  of  things.  He  told  them  that  a 
misunderstanding  had  occurred  ;  that  the  people  of  Lawrence  had 
violated  no  law  ;  that  they  would  not  resist  any  properly  appointed 
officer  in  the  execution  of  the  laws ;  that  the  guns  would  not  be 
given  up  ;  and  concluded  by  advising  them  to  go  home  to  Mis 
souri. 

An  escort  had  been  promised  to  Generals  R.  and  L.  back  to 
Lawrence ;  and  when,  at  about  seven  o'clock,  they  left  for  home, 
one  man  only  was  provided  to  go  with  them.  After  going  about 
one  hundred  yards,  he  too  bade  them  "  Good-evening,"  and 
wheeled  his  horse,  leaving  them  in  the  enemy's  country,  without 
escort  to  pass  the  picket-guard.  In  this  Egyptian  darkness,  the 
wind  and  sleet  driving,  and  effectually  blinding  their  eyes,  they 
trusted  to  their  horses  to  keep  their  way  homeward,  knowing  they 
were  in  the  road  only  by  the  sound  of  their  hoofs  upon  the  frozen 
13* 


150  KANSAS. 

earth.  But  safely,  though  once  General  Robinson's  horse  fell 
under  him,  without  injury  to  himself  or  it,  they  reached  Law 
rence.  Later  in  the  night  word  came  in  that  a  party  of  the 
ruffians  had  taken  possession  of  a  house  a  mile  or  two  from  town, 
driving  the  family  out  in  the  storm.  General  Dietzler  went  out 
to  bring  them  in.  The  three  prisoners  were  armed  with  a  large 
number  of  deadly  weapons,  and  were  almost  frozen.  Their  plea 
for  going  to  the  house  was  that  they  had  lost  their  way.  Sus 
picion  was  strong  against  them,  from  all  the  circumstances,  that 
they  left  Franklin  with  the  design  of  assassinating  Generals  Rob 
inson  and  Lane,  but  were  unable  to  keep  the  road,  and  very  truly 
may  have  lost  their  way. 

9tk.  —  The  governor  having  ordered  his  men  to  disperse,  many 
did  so,  while  many  other  turbulent  spirits,  who  had  been  dragged 
out  of  Missouri  by  their  cupidity,  by  much  persuasion,  and  by 
being  told  that  now  was  the  time,  if  ever,  for  the  extermination 
of  the  Yankees,  made  loud  complaints,  and  were  determined  upon 
a  fight.  Their  anger  towards  the  governor  was  also  expressed 
loudly  at  this  peaceful  termination  of  the  raid.  With  the  terrible 
discomfort  of  the  last  night  in  camp,  many  of  the  men  having  no 
tents,  with  the  failure  of  the  whiskey,  there  arose  a  general  dis 
satisfaction. 

They  carried  home  to  Missouri  their  dead  bodies  —  one  killed 
by  the  falling  of  a  tree,  one  shot  by  the  guard  accidentally,  and 
one  killed  in  some  sort  of  a  quarrel.  One  of  Kansas'  best  citi 
zens  had  lost  his  life,  and  much  property  been  destroyed,  all  from 
a  "  misunderstanding."  The  following  are  the  articles  of  nego 
tiation  and  adjustment : 

"  Whereas  there  is  a  misunderstanding  between  the  people  of 
Kansas,  or  a  portion  of  them,  and  the  governor  thereof,  arising 
out  of  the  rescue,  near  Hickory  Point,  of  a  citizen  under  arrest, 
and  some  other  matters ;  and  whereas  a  strong  apprehension 
exists  that  said  misunderstanding  may  lead  to  civil  strife  and 
bloodshed ;  and  whereas  it  is  desired,  by  both  Governor  Shannon 
and  the  people  of  Lawrence  and  vicinity,  to  avert  a  calamity  so 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.      151 

disastrous  to  the  interests  of  the  territory  and  the  Union,  and  to 
place  all  parties  in  a  correct  position  before  the  world,  — 

"  Now,  therefore,  it  is  agreed  by  the  said  Governor  Shannon, 
and  the  undersigned  people  of  Lawrence,  that  the  matter  in  dis 
pute  be  settled  as  follows,  to  wit : 

"  "We,  the  said  citizens  of  said  territory,  protest  that  the  said 
rescue  was  made  without  our  knowledge  or  consent,  but,  if  any  of 
our  citizens  were  engaged,  we  pledge  ourselves  to  aid  in  the  exe 
cution  of  any  legal  process  against  them ;  that  we  have  no  knowl 
edge  of  the  previous,  present,  or  prospective  existence  of  any 
organization  in  the  said  territory  for  the  resistance  of  the  laws, 
and  that  we  have  not  designed,  and  do  not  design,  to  resist  the 
legal  service  of  any  criminal  process  therein,  but  pledge  ourselves 
to  aid  in  the  execution  of  the  laws,  when  called  on  by  proper 
authority,  in  the  town  or  vicinity  of  Lawrence,  and  that  we  will 
use  all  our  influence  in  preserving  order  therein  ;  and  we  declare 
that  we  are  now,  as  we  ever  have  been,  ready  at  any  time  to  aid 
the  governor  in  securing  a  posse  for  the  execution  of  such  process : 
provided,  that  any  person  thus  arrested  in  Lawrence  or  vicinity, 
while  a  foreign  force  shall  remain  in  the  territory,  shall  be  duly 
examined  before  a  United  States  district  judge  of  said  territory 
in  said  town,  and  admitted  to  bail ;  and  provided,  further,  that 
Governor  Shannon  agrees  to  use  h'is  influence  to  secure  to  the 
citizens  of  Kansas  Territory  remuneration  for  any  damages  sus 
tained,  or  unlawful  depredations,  if  any  such  have  been  committed 
by  a  sheriffs  posse  in  Douglas  County ;  and,  further,  that 
Governor  Shannon  states  that  he  has  not  called  upon  persons 
residents  of  any  other  state  to  aid  in  the  execution  of  the  laws, 
and  such  as  are  here  in  this  territory  are  here  of  their  own  choice ; 
and  that  he  has  not  any  authority  or  legal  power  to  do  so,  nor 
will  he  exercise  any  such  power,  and  that  he  will  not  call  on  any 
citizen  of  another  state  who  may  be  here.  That  we  wish  it  under 
stood  that  we  do  not  herein  express  any  opinion  as  to  the  validity 
of  the  enactments  of  the  Territorial  Legislature. 

"  (Signed),  "  WILSON  SHANNON, 

"  C.  ROBINSON, 
"  J.  H.  LANE." 


152  KANSAS. 

The  prisoners  on  both  sides  were  released.  Several  who  had 
been  in  the  camp  of  the  enemy  were  in  town  to-day.  In  times 
of  war  there  are  no  Sabbaths,  and  we  had  no  service  to-day.  The 
governor,  with  Jones  and  General  Strickler,  came  in  this  morning. 

A  dinner  was  provided  for  them  at  the  Cincinnati  House  ;  and, 
in  a  private  room,  some  who  are  not  averse,  either  by  nature  or 
principle,  to  a  social  glass,  had  provided  such  entertainment  for 
the  governor.  Every  one  coming  in,  who  ever  thus  degraded  his 
higher  nature,  "  must  drink  with  the  governor."  At  each  glass 
which  he  drank  he  said,  "  Now  here  's  to  the  Baptist  preacher." 

When  the  dinner  was  ready,  and  the  blessing  about  to  be 
implored,  the  governor  broke  out  in  this  new  strain  :  "  This  is 
the  happiest  day  of  my  life,  by  Gr — d  !  " 

The  story  of  the  Baptist  preacher  is  simply  this  :  When  Mr. 
Pomeroy  left  Lawrence  for  Kansas  city,  some  men,  watching  him 
in  Lawrence,  immediately  notified  the  camp  at  Franklin,  and  a 
company  of  men  forthwith  was  sent  out  to  intercept  him.  Having 
nearly  reached  the  Baptist  Mission,  the  party  came  up,  and  asked 
where  he  was  going. 

He  said  briefly,  "  To  our  mission ;  "  and  at  once  the  party  gave 
him  the  soubriquet  of"  the  Baptist  preacher."  One  of  the  party, 
however,  quite  unfortunately  as  it  regarded  his  further  progress 
towards  "  our  mission,"  recognized  him.  He  was  taken  by  them 
across  the  river  again  ;  and  wet  and  cold,  without  fire,  he  slept  in 
their  camp  on  the  Wakarusa.  Threats  ran  high  against  him  ; 
and  his  peril  became  so  imminent,  that,  when  his  guard  had  fallen 
asleep,  Atchison,  to  whom  the  ruffians  had  given  the  euphonious 
title  of  "  Old  Dave,"  took  him  to  Blue  Jacket's,  an  Indian  house, 
where  some  of  the  officers  had  their  head-quarters. 

Atchison  has  declared  to  the  rough  men  who  follow  him,  "  that 
they  cannot  fight  now.  The  position  the  Lawrence  people  have 
taken  is  such  that  it  would  not  do  to  make  an  attack  upon  them  ; 
it  would  ruin  the  democratic  cause  too.  But,  boys,  we'll  fight 
some  time,  by  Gr — d  !  " 

Mr.  Redpath,  a  young  Englishman,  came  in  from  Leavenworth, 
and  in  his  facetious  way,  which  makes  the  most  common  thing 
replete  with  interest  and  life,  and  turns  the  dull  and  serious  into 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.      153 

fun  and  gayety,  told  the  story  of  his  departure  from  Leavenworth, 
in  company  with  four  or  five  others,  to  come  to  Lawrence ;  how 
they  were  intercepted,  and  at  last  taken  prisoners,  and  only 
released  this  morning. 

My  husband  had  not  now  been  home  for  several  days,  save  to 
dine  on  Friday.  Towards  evening  he  sent  a  carriage,  and  a 
request  that  I  should  come  down  town.  So,  quickly  donning 
heavy  English  shawl  and  furs,  we  were  soon  there.  I  sat  in  the 
carriage  while  a  messenger  notified  him  of  iny  arrival.  He  re 
turned,  bringing  the  word,  "  The  general  says,  '  Come  up  to  the 
council-chamber ; '  "  and,  under  his  escort,  I  passed  through  a 
file  of  soldiers  guarding  the  door,  also  through  halls  similarly 
guarded,  and  up  the  rough  staircases,  until  I  reached  the  further 
end  of  the  third  story,  where,  upon  a  slight  knock,  the  door  was 
opened,  and,  with  ceremony,  I  was  ushered  into  the  presence  of, 
and  introduced  to,  Gen.  Robinson.  This  being  through  with,  I 
noticed  several  ladies,  friends  and  acquaintances,  sitting  by ;  and, 
when  a  few  more  were  gathered  together,  we  were  informed  by 
the  general  that  "  the  war  is  over ;  the  hatchet  is  buried  ;  that 
the  late  enemy  have  expressed  a  desire  to  cultivate  a  conciliatory 
and  friendly  spirit  with  their  neighbors  in  Lawrence  ;  that  it  is 
bettor  to  bridge  over  past  differences  by  the  kindly,  pleasant 
offices  of  good-will  and  friendship.  As  a  token  of  our  willingness 
to  accept  and  give  any  pledges  of  our  good  offices  in  the  future, 
we  will  to-morrow  invite  Gov.  Shannon,  and  any  of  his  friends 
from  Missouri  who  will  remain,  to  a  social  gathering."  The 
ladies  were  also  informed  that  to  them  they  would  look  for  the 
necessary  refreshments  for  the  evening. 

How  New  England's  high-toned  propriety  would  be  shocked  at 
the  idea  of  "  getting  up  "  a  party  on  so  short  notice,  and  some 
seven  or  eight  hundred  guests  expected  !  What  would  occupy  a 
month's  time  there,  and  any  amount  of  unnecessary  words,  is  done 
here  equally  as  well  in  an  eighth  part  of  the  time,  with  a  greater 
amount  of  pleasure  coming  to  all. 

Another  reason  for  the  meeting  of  the  morrow's  evening  is 
that  Gov.  Shannon  might  see  that  the  people  neither  have  the 
look  of  "  paupers  "  nor  "  rebels."  The  ladies  found  time  amid 


154  KANSAS. 

the  arrangements  to  speak  to  the  governor,  who  sat  by,  an  occa 
sional  word;  and  to  one  and  all  he  was  free  to  say,  "  This  is  the 
happiest  day  of  my  life."  He  stated  also,  "  that  he  liked  the 
people  of  Lawrence  so  well,  he  should  come  to  live  among  them. " 
Had  the  people  undergone  a  sudden  transformation  ? 

A  rumor  came  in  during  the  evening  from  the  invading  horde 
still  lingering  in  the  borders,  and  reached  the  watchful  ear  of  the 
governor.  "His  militia"  were  so  indignant  with  him  for  the 
truce,  that  they  threatened  him  with  lynching,  and  an  immediate 
attack  upon  Lawrence.  He  is  fearful,  and  lacks  the  boldness  of  a 
man  who  has  done  his  duty.  Lynching  is  rather  an  unpleasant 
mode  of  making  one's  exit,  and  especially  undignified  to  a  person 
holding  the  honorable  office  of  governor.  Such  a  terminus  to  his 
career  must  be  avoided.  A  simple  remedy  is  at  hand,  and  the 
fluttering  heart  says  "  Save  me  from  my  friends."  Feeling  doubt 
less  like  the  man  who  "  digged  a  pit  for  his  enemies,  but  into  it 
he  fell,"  he  signed  the  commission  of  Generals  Robinson  and  Lane, 
authorizing  them  to  use  the  force  under  them,  a  properly  con 
stituted  militia,  and  make  good  their  defence. 

The  following  is  the  document  in  question :  — 

"To  CHARLES  ROBINSON  AND  J.  H.  LANE.  You  are  hereby 
authorized  and  directed  to  take  such  measures,  and  use  the  en 
rolled  forces  under  your  command  in  such  manner,  for  the  preserva 
tion  of  the  peace  and  the  protection  of  the  persons  and  property 
of  the  people  of  Lawrence  and  vicinity,  as  in  your  judgment 
shall  best  secure  that  end. 

"(Signed),  WILSON  SUANNON. 

"  Lawrence,  Dec.  Qtk,  1855." 

lO^A.  —  The  early  morning  finds  us  busy  in  the  culinary  de 
partment.  The  making  of  seven  loaves  of  bread  and  five  of  cake, 
with  other  necessary  work,  leaves  only  a  few  stray  moments  in 
which  to  finish  a  letter,  which  is  to  be  a  messenger  of  good  tidings 
to  friends  far  away  under  the  home-roof,  whose  nights  on  our 
account  have  been  sleepless  and  days  filled  with  suspense.  It  is 
already  three  and  a  half  o'clock,  and  the  ladies  were  to  meet  at  four 
o'clock.  So  pressing  into  the  service,  as  bearers  of  burdens,  two 
young  men,  who  called  opportunely,  I  went  down,  and  was  soon 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.      155 

astonished  by  the  huge  baskets  of  provisions  which  were  provided. 
Had  the  Missourians  looked  in  upon  the  well-filled  tables  prepared 
on  so  brief  notice,  they  would  have  given  up  the  idea  of  starving 
us  to  terms ;  and  had  New  England  added  her  presence  among 
the  welcome  guests,  with  her  well-filled  pockets  and  stocks  in  trade, 
she  would  have  realized  that,  in  the  large  open-heartedness  and 
freedom  from  conventionalities  of  her  frontier  children,  there  is 
much  of  the  real,  true  enjoyment  of  life. 

During  the  speeches  of  the  early  part  of  the  evening  many  of 
the  ladies  stood  upon  tables  ranged  around  the  walls,  and  their 
position  even  there  was  one  of  compactness.  The  incidents  of  the 
last  few  weeks  were  recalled,  and  those  of  the  war  recited.  The 
bringing  in  of  the  cannon  through  the  enemy's  country,  and  of 
the  powder  by  the  ladies,  had  honorable  mention.  A  "  compro 
mise  measure  "  also  afforded  a  good  deal  of  merriment.  The  first 
week  of  the  invasion  a  gentleman  heard  at  Lecompton  that  it 
was  the  governor's  plan  to  demand  that  the  arms  of  the  people 
of  Lawrence  should  be  delivered  up.  Upon  this  gentleman's 
return  to  Lawrence,  he  asked  Gen.  Robinson  what  answer  he  would 
make  to  such  a  demand. 

His  reply  was  brief:  "  I  would  propose  a  compromise  measure ; 
keep  the  rifles,  and  give  them  the  contents." 

Gov.  Shannon  did  not  stay  to  the  "party."  "When  the  morn 
ing  came  he  found  his  business  required  his  attention  at  the  mis 
sion,  and  he  went  on  his  way.  But  "  Sheriff  Jones  "  was  there, 
and  there  were  some  there  beside  who  did  not  cherish  that  spirit 
of  forgiveness  and  conciliation,  which  makes  man  magnanimous 
in  the  treatment  of  an  enemy;  and  the  general's  party  at  one 
time  came  near  proving  anything  but  a  "peace  party."  There 
was  a  spirit  there  full  of  ambition,  and  a  desire  for  office.  And 
while  the  murder  of  young  Barber  was  fresh  in  the  minds  of  his 
friends ;  while  the  voice  of  poor,  weak  human  nature  would  say 
revenge  if  the  right  chord  was  touched;  and  while  "Sheriff 
Jones,  "  an  officer  of  the  territorial  courts,  was  an  invited  guest 
of  Gen.  Robinson,  and  political  capital  could  be  made ;  with 
what  wonderful  ingeniousness  it  wrought  to  keep  alive  this  spirit 
of  revenge  in  their  breasts  !  The  object  was  evident  to  all,  and 


156  KANSAS. 

the  indignation  of  many  was  hardly  kept  within  bounds.  The 
event,  however,  proved  but  another  instance  of  the  evil,  which 
was  intended  for  another,  recoiling  upon  one's  own  head. 

After  this  unpropitious  opening  of  the  evening,  we  had  music 
and  social  pleasant  converse  with  many  friends  we  seldom 
meet. 

Dr.  C.,  a  young  Kentuckian,  one  of  the  released  prisoners, 
was  here  last  night.  He  was  in  the  enemy's  camp  at  Lecompton. 
After  a  sickness  of  several  weeks  at  Topeka,  and  a  week  or  so  of 
feebleness  at  our  house,  he  left  on  Tuesday  the  27th  for  his  home 
at  Doniphan.  On  his  way  thither  he  was  attacked  by  the  mob, 
disarmed  and  brought  back  some  sixty  miles.  Being  brought  to 
the  camp  the  other  prisoner,  Mr.  W.,  also  being  with  him,  they 
were  given  in  charge  to  "Sheriff  Jones."  Weak  as  Dr.  C. 
was  from  his  recent  illness,  the  fever  still  lurking  in  his  veins,  he 
was  carried  this  long  distance,  then  placed  in  a  cold  and  very  open 
room  which  was  used  as  a  liquor  store.  Beside  all  the  noise  and 
confusion  usually  attendant  upon  such  resorts,  Jones  and  others 
came  in  at  night  and  "  played  poker  at  twenty-five  cents  ante.'' 
The  room  was  so  filled  with  men  that  he  was  obliged  to  sit  up  all 
night.  There  was  constant  talk  of  hanging,  and  most  bitter 
threats  used.  Jones  did  not  hesitate  to  tell  Mr.  W.,  in  regard  to 
a  certain  matter,  that  he  must  "  tell  or  swing."  Kelly,  of  the 
Squatter  Sovereign,  told  him  he  thirsted  for  blood,  and  should  like 
to  see  him  hung  on  the  first  tree. 

Dr.  C.  was  very  weak,  and  had  now  become  delirious  from  the 
intense  excitement  and  fatigue.  Dr.  Stringfellow  and  one  or  two 
other  physicians  were  in  attendance  all  night.  One  of  the  guard 
reasoned  with  Jones  upon  his  treatment  of  the  prisoners,  until  he 
desisted. 

Other  prisoners  were  similarly  treated.  One  old  man,  whose 
years  among  civilization  would  have  been  a  guaranty  against 
insult,  was  treated  with  like  cruelty.  The  rope  with  which  they 
threatened  to  hang  him  was  repeatedly  shown  him ;  but,  heedless 
of  their  threats,  and  above  the  raging  of  the  storm,  which  gave 
fair  promise  of  leaving  the  hangman  without  any  upon  whom  to 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER — THE  TREATY.     157 

exercise  his  office,  his  voice  was  heard,  "  Send  it  a  little  colder, 
0  Lord  ! " 

And  amid  the  fearful  oaths  and  unceasing  threats  of  evil,  there 
was  the  same  earnest  plea:  "  0  Lord,  send  it  a  little  colder." 

\1th.  —  The  different  companies  were  drawn  out  in  lines  yes 
terday,  and  farewell  addresses  were  made  them  by  their  officers. 
The  Lawrence  companies  then  escorted  those  from  the  other  settle 
ments  a  little  way  out  of  town. 

The  war  is  over  for  the  present.  Yet  we  cannot  hope  for  any 
permanent  peace  until  the  strong  arm  of  an  executive,  who  will 
not  disgrace  his  office,  be  interposed  for  the  protection  of  the 
settlers,  who  in  good  faith  came  to  make  homes,  rebuilding  the 
old  landmarks  so  ruthlessly  torn  down  by  the  corruption  of  men 
in  power. 

So  long  as  the  excitable,  brutal  men  along  the  borders  are 
wrought  upon  by  every  incentive  which  can  influence  them,  by 
such  men  as  Atchison  and  Stringfellow,  so  long  are  we  exposed 
to  murder,  rapine  and  pillage,  at  their  hands.  The  sheriff  in  this 
invasion  was  prime  mover,  and  upon  him  rests  the  chief  guilt. 
At  Lecompton,  soon  after  the  peace,  he  declared,  "  Major  Clark  and 
Burns  both  claim  the  honor  of  killing  that  d — d  abolitionist, 
and  I  don't  know  which  ought  to  have  it.  If  Shannon  had  n  't 
been  a  d — d  old  fool,  that  peace  would  never  have  been  declared. 
He  would  have  wiped  Lawrence  out.  He  had  men  and  means 
enough  to  do  it."  Nothing  could  illustrate  better  the  bitterness 
and  treachery  of  his  character,  when  he  accepts  the  invitation, 
and  makes  one  of  the  "  peace  party  "  in  Lawrence. 

At  Douglas,  Stringfellow  informed  his  motley  gang  that  the 
"  thing  is  settled  ;  "  that  "  they  are  gold  ;  "  that  "  Shannon  has 
turned  traitor ;  "  "  he  has  disgraced  himself  and  the  whole  pro- 
slavery  party." 

By  the  misrepresentations  of  Jones,  Gov.  Shannon  brought  this 
force  from  a  neighboring  state,  against  a  peaceable  community. 
He  saw  his  error,  and  entered  into  a  treaty.  Who  ever  before 
heard  of  a  governor  entering  into  a  treaty  with  the  citizens  over 
whom  his  own  jurisdiction  extends,  having  in  view  their  obedi 
ence  to  the  laws  ?  This  treaty  states,  moreover,  that  Gov.  Shan- 
14 


158  KANSAS. 

non  "  had  not  called  upon  persons  residents  of  any  other  state  to 
aid  in  the  execution  of  the  laws."  Yet  several  gentlemen  from 
Missouri  come  up  with  him  to  Lawrence,  and  in  council  treat  for 
peace.  When  our  ofli:'Grs  go  to  Franklin,  at  his  urgent  request,  it 
is  to  meet,  at  their  head-quarters,  the  captain  and  officers  of  his 
army.  Does  this  look  like  any  variation  from  the  truth?  The 
governor  is  complained  of  bitterly  by  the  men  who  say  that  on 
the  first  evening  of  his  return  from  Lawrence  to  the  head-quarters 
on  the  Wakarusa,  he  stated  distinctly  the  arms  were  to  be  given 
up.  The  rabble,  with  many  expressions  of  dissatisfaction,  have 
sought  their  homes.  The  leaders,  suffering  from  the  smart  of 
mortification,  consider  themselves  sold,  Judas-like,  by  one  who 
should  be  the  soul  of  honor,  integrity  and  justice,  and  whom  they 
trusted  as  a  strong  ally  in  the  subjugation  of  this  freedom-loving 
and  down-trodden  people.  Feeling  that  their  defeat  has  indeed 
been  ignoble  and  signal,  they,  nursing  secret  discontent,  and 
thirsting  for  revenge,  will  plan  a  new  invasion,  new  schemes  of 
villany.  There  is  no  settlement  of  the  difficulty.  It  is  only  the 
present  lull  of  the  late  storm,  gathering,  it  may  be,  greater  fury. 
While  the  border  leagues  are  still  in  being,  and  they  as  strongly 
determined  now,  as  for  a  year  past,  to  make  Kansas  a  slave 
state ;  while  the  settlers  in  Kansas  have  grown  yet  more  strong 
in  their  devotion  to  the  principles  of  freedom  from  the  infamous 
measures  taken  by  Gov.  Shannon,  and  the  other  officials,  to  forci 
bly  wrest  them  from  them,  there  is  no  certainty  of  peace.  Since 
Gov.  Shannon  has  brought  a  mob  against  Lawrence ;  since  he, 
with  Judge  Lecompte  and  other  appointees  of  the  President, 
have  fraternally  sympathized  with  Atchison  and  Stringfellow, 
the  depth,  the  intensity  of  the  feeling  of  our  people  against  such 
a  tyrannical  rule  cannot  be  estimated. 

The  seeds  of  difficulty  are  sown  broadcast,  and  no  one  can  tell 
what  trivial  circumstance  shall  cause  a  sudden,  terrible  outbreak. 
There  is  ignorance  among  this  excitable  class  of  men  in  the  bor 
der  counties,  but  the  ignorance  is  not  the  principal  cause  for  fear. 
Such  men  as  Col.  Boone  of  Westport,  who  was  Gov.  Shannon's 
chief  adviser,  rule  these  men ;  and  when  Col.  Boone  came  to  Law 
rence,  with  his  portly  bearing  and  most  dignified  manners,  one  could 


THE  DEATH  OF  BARBER  —  THE  TREATY.      159 

hardly  believe  he  was  a  "border  ruffian."  While  the  words, 
"  he  came  to  see  if  everything  was  done  right,"  were  repeatedly 
upon  his  tongue,  his  inflammatory  appeals  for  men  and  money  to 
aid  in  this  invasion,  in  which  there  was  no  shadow  of  truth,  were 
sent  through  all  the  border.  He  has,  beside,  never  failed  to  be 
active  in  these  invasions  and  frauds  upon  the  ballot-box. 

Unless  the  federal  government  interposes  for  the  relief  of  the 
actual  settler,  there  is  yet  imminent  danger  that  other  martyrs  for 
liberty  will  fall  beneath  the  assassin's  blow ;  that  these  broad  prai 
ries,  whose  very  air  breathes  life  and  freedom,  consecrated  by  God 
when  fresh  from  his  forming  hand,  sealed  by  a  sacred  compact 
of  men,  shall  again  be  consecrated  by  their  blood. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER — DEATH  OF  R.  '  P.  BROWN. 


Dec.  iDtk.  —  The  day  of  the  election  upon  the  adoption  of  the 
state  constitution.  The  vote  for  the  constitution  was  small,  coming 
as  it  did  on  the  heels  of  the  invasion.  In  some  of  the  districts 
the  constitutions  were  not  received.  There  was  no  opportunity 
to  canvass  the  territory;  and  where  appointments  had  been 
made  for  meetings,  there  was  no  speaking.  At  Leavenworth 
there  was  a  gathering  of  some  of  the  forces  who  had  been  before 
Lawrence.  As  the  election  was  proceeding  quietly,  Charles 
Dunn,  with  a  party,  smashed  in  the  window  of  the  building  where 
the  election  was  being  held,  jumped  in,  and  drove  off  the  judges 
of  election.  One  of  the  clerks  of  election,  in  attempting  to 
save  the  ballot-box,  was  seized  by  the  throat  by  Dunn.  He  was 
also  struck  in  the  face  by  Dunn,  and  by  another  person, 
until  he  fell,  when  the  cro'wd  rushed  upon  him,  kicking  him  in 
the  head  and  sides.  Dunn  and  party  then  carried  off  the  ballot- 
boxes. 

1G?A.  —  It  is  a  clear,  bright  December  day,  and  the  snows, 
which  came  in  small  quantity,  are  fast  melting,  and  mingling 
with  the  clayey  soil.  So,  besides  the  burden  of  rubbers,  one  has 
to  carry  no  little  portion  of  the  native  earth.  But,  as  Mr. 
Barber  was  to  be  disinterred  from  his  hasty  burial  in  town,  to  be 
buried  with  martial  honors  to-day,  we  made  the  half-mile  walk. 
First,  however,  arranging  for  the  sick  man  at  home.  Mr.  0.  had 
gone  beyond  his  strength,  in  an  attempted  journey,  and  he  was 
again  a  fixture  in  the  chimney-corner.  He  threatens,  with  a  mix 
ture  of  "  quinine  and  sulphuric  acid,"  to  drive  away  the  chills ; 


TUNERAL  OF  BARBER — DEATH  OF  BROWN.     161 

but  whether  he  may  not  drive  himself  away,  his  fragility  contin 
ually  suggests.  However,  in  these  days  of  reform  and  progress, 
it  has  become  fashionable  to  "  die  of  the  doctor  rather  than  the 
disease." 

As  we  reached  the  hotel,  which  had  indeed  become  the  place 
for  all  assemblies,  meetings  to  discuss  the  affairs  of  the  country, 
or  pleasure-gatherings,  the  barracks  for  soldiers,  and  now  where  the 
services  for  the  dead  were  to  be  performed,  the  wagons  and 
carriages  standing  around,  and  the  groups  of  people  hurrying  in 
all  directions,  showed  that  the  feeling  of  the  people  was  aroused. 
We  passed  among  the  crowd,  and,  narrowly  escaping  a  fall  into 
one  of  the  ditches  made  by  the  throwing  up  of  the  entrench 
ments,  ascended  the  inclined  boards  at  the  doorway,  which  served 
for  steps. 

As  I  entered  the  long  dining-hall,  where  but  a  week  since  was 
the  sound  of  rejoicing,  it  seemed  as  though  every  place  was  full. 
But  a  friendly  heart,  though  a  stranger's,  made  room  on  one  of 
the  long  settees.  Long  boards  had  also  been  brought  in  for  extra 
seats,  and  these  were  full  of  this  sympathizing  community. 

It  was  a  strange,  a  motley  group.  There  were  hats  of  satin 
and  velvet,  with  plumes,  and  Paris  flowers,  with  dresses  of  rich 
material,  and  costly  furs.  There  were  brides  of  a  few  months, 
just  arrived  in  this  western  home,  and  city  belles  come  out  for  a 
winter's  sojourn  where  the  artificial  has  wholly  given  place  to 
simplicity  and  nature.  There  were  some  with  log-cabin  bonnets 
of  black  silk,  or  cotton  velvet,  and  dress  of  plain  coarse  stuff, 
giving  to  the  wearer  an  odd,  strange  look.  There  were  others 
whose  apparel  is  the  safer  medium  between  the  two,  which  ever 
bespeaks  the  taste  and  intelligence  of  the  wearer. 

There  were  many  who  have  lived  their  whole  lives  in  cities, 
accustomed  to  their  elegancies  and  refinements,  who  are  now 
roughing  it  with  the  simple  dwellers  in  nature's  halls.  Yet,  over 
all  this  immense  crowd,  who  had  gathered  from  many  miles 
around  to  take  part  in  this  mournful  service,  was  spread  the  hal 
lowed,  chastening  influence  of  this  great  sorrow.  There  was  not 
one  present  but  would  willingly  have  taken  part  of  the  burden, 
could  it  have  lessened  the  crushing  woe  of  the  lone  bereaved  one. 


162  KANSAS. 

Silence  pervaded  the  assembly,  and  many  a  heart  whose  tendrils 
yet  cling  unbroken  around  their  loved  ones,  who  seemingly  had 
been  in  perils  more  and  greater,  felt  a  deep  thankfulness  that, 
rudely  torn  asunder,  they  did  not  then  lie  bleeding,  the  fond  object 
dying,  withering. 

There  was  a  sound  of  people  moving,  the  tread  of  many  feet,  a 
heart-breaking  sob,  and  many  turned  to  look.  Had  they  passed 
through  hours  when  the  death  angel  had  stricken  down  the  loved 
from  their  own  pathway,  they  would  have  realized  how  like  sac 
rilege  is  this  gazing  of  the  multitude  upon  the  broken,  crushed 
spirit,  burying  its  dead. 

Then  the  sob  came  from  the  other  end  of  the  hall,  and  the  tall, 
white-haired,  blue-eyed  man,  who  knew  her  husband,  and  would 
perform  the  service,  bent  over  her,  to  speak  some  comforting  word. 
Bat,  like  Ilachel,  she  refused  to  be  comforted.  A  hymn  was  read, 
and  the  audience  sang  an  old,  familiar  tune ;  but  ever  and  anon, 
amid  the  singing,  there  came  this  wailing,  this  moaning,  as  though 
the  heart  must  break  through  its  earthly  fetters.  Short  speeches 
followed  from  Generals  Lane  and  Robinson,  and  then  a  sad  sermon. 

When  the  preacher  spoke  of  death  finding  the  one  taken  in  the 
performance  of  his  duty,  a  duty  cheerfully  performed  for  his 
country ;  that  from  this  service  he  had  been  taken  to  a  higher ; 
of  him  who  will  be  to  the  widow  more  than  husband  or  child ;  of 
the  evanescence  of  human  life,  and  of  that  fairer  country,  beyond 
the  dark  waters  of  death,  where  the  cruel  reign  of  the  tyrant  is 
over ;  we  felt  that  a  response  went  out  from  the  poor  lone  one's 
heart,  —  that  she  had  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  bright  chain  reach 
ing  from  heaven,  earthward,  —  and  that  she  would  realize,  more 
fully  than  in  life,  the  nearness  of  the  loved  spirit. 

The  services  were  over,  and  preparations  were  made  to  bear  the 
lamented  dead  to  the  burial.  The  military  companies,  with  arms 
reversed,  walked  first,  the  generals,  upon  horseback,  leading  the 
way.  There  was  the  company  from  Lawrence,  and  the  "  Barker 
Guards  ;  "  then  the  body  of  the  dead,  and  the  sad  mourners  —  the 
widow  and  brothers ;  then  the  neighbors  of  the  quiet,  inoffensive 
man,  who  felt  most  keenly  his  death  ;  then  the  whole  community. 
All  kinds  of  vehicles,  wagons,  and  carriages,  fell  into  the  rear,  and, 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER  —  DEATH  OF  BROWN.     163 

in  solemn  procession  made  a  long  line  over  the  prairie.  Soon  they 
wound  up  the  lone,  steep  way,  over  Moupt  Oread. 

A  mile  further  over  the  level  prairie  the  procession  moved  on 
slowly,  "  for  it  was  a  man  they  bore."  The  soldiers  formed  in 
lines  on  either  side,  with  bowed  heads  and  lifted  hats.  The  mourn 
ers  passed  through,  and  stood  around  the  open  grave.  The  coffin 
was  gently  lowered,  the  falling  earth  rattled  upon  its  lid  —  a 
dread,  fearful  sound;  the  bitter  wailing  of  the  desolate,  child 
less,  earth-stricken  widow  rose  above  the  sad  moaning  of  the  win 
ter  wind,  and  broke  in  upon  the  words,  "  Dust  to  dust,"  —  "I  am 
the  resurrection  and  the  life." 

The  mourners  fell  back,  giving  place  to  the  soldiers,  who  then 
stood  around  the  grave,  and  each  division  fired  their  rifles  into  the 
last  resting-place  of  their  loved  and  honored  comrade. 

Such  a  scene  as  this  the  actors  in  it  had  never  before  witnessed, 
and  with  similar  emotions  never  will  again.  In  this  glorious  old 
country,  with  its  hills  so  smoothly  terraced,  its  prairies  boundless, 
over  which,  a  twelvemonth  since,  the  Indian  alone  roamed  with 
the  wild  deer  in  the  venerable  forests,  now  in  concord  the  white 
man  dwells  with  his  red  brother.  There  is  no  war  between  them, 
no  enmity.  But  another  power,  more  hideous,  more  grasping,  has 
arisen.  These  beautiful  lands  are  coveted  by  the  slave  power.  It 
threatens  boldly,  and  with  all  its  treachery,  all  its  hateful  wiles 
unmasked,  to  bring  the  dark-browed  race,  whose  color  is  their  crime, 
to  suffer  here  ;  that  with  the  sweetly-perfumed  breath  of  these  green 
prairies  shall  come  to  our  ears  the  wailing  of  her  who  is  worse 
than  widowed,  and  the  sad  cry  of  children  who  know  no  tenderer 
words  of  man  than  those  of  the  bloody  task-master  and  tyrant. 

For  this  the  slave  power  has  another  victim,  and  the  solemn 
prairie  has  witnessed  the  burial  of  liberty's  third  martyr  to-day. 
Stern  men,  unused  to  weep,  and  timid  women,  have  bowed  with 
the  stricken,  and  shared  their  grief.  The  blow,  falling  most  heav 
ily  on  her,  leaves  them  not  untouched,  and  the  warning  is  loud 
and  deep,  "  Death  to  your  liberties."  The  love  we  had  always 
borne  to  freedom  is  tenfold  increased,  while  the  hatred  of  op 
pression  is  intensified  and  strengthened.  A  new  consecration  of 
our  energies,  in  this  unequal  fight  for  freedom,  is  made  over 


164  KANSAS. 

the  new-made  grave.  And  it  is  no  child's  play, —  no  work  merely 
of  to-day, —  but  a  life-service.  It  is  easy  to  boast  of  putting  on 
the  harness,  and  to  be  full  of  courage,  when  quiet  sits  by  one's 
own  fireside,  and  when  the  crowd  are  pressing  eagerly  on  to  vic 
tory,  with  banners  waving,  and  music  filling  the  air ;  but  it  is 
another  thing  in  this  frontier  land,  where  for  very  weariness  with 
watching  the  soul  faints,  where  there  is  no  gloss  of  military 
trappings,  where  the  plumes  are  tattered,  and  the  little  army, 
weary  and  struggling,  is  passing  through  sorrow  and  the  wilder 
ness. 

In  the  prospect  of  freedom's  bulwarks  raised  high  and  strong 
we  can  yet  exult.  It  will  be  accomplished  by  no  magic  power, 
but  by  faithful  service,  and  patient  endurance.  Strong  arms  will 
hew  out  the  timber,  dig  broad  and  deep  the  trenches,  and  rear 
high  the  walls.  It  will  cost  many  tears  and  cares,  anxieties  and 
prayers,  and  the  sorrow  of  many  spirits  hopeful  to-day.  It  may 
cost  many  valued  lives ;  but  we  will  lay  each  corner-stone  of  this 
altar  of  freedom  with  the  serene,  abiding  strength  of  a  holy  faith ; 
trust  all  to  Him  who  maketh  "  the  darkness  as  the  noonday,"  and 
the  end  will  be  glorious. 

Sheriff  Jones  called  at  the  door,  before  the  day  was  over,  for  S. 
and  T.,  two  young  men  of  New  England  origin,  and  of  whom  she 
may  well  be  proud.  They  went  with  him  to  Lecompton  for  trial, 
having  been  engaged  in  the  "  rescue  "  case,  and  from  that  court 
will  appeal  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  hoping 
thus  to  test  the  validity  of  the  territorial  laws.  We  hope  this 
willingness  of  theirs  to  be  the  instruments  in  testing  these  laws 
will  not  be  at  too  great  a  cost.  Another  of  the  rescuers  was  sit 
ting  in  the  parlor  when  Jones  called  for  Smith  and  Tappan,  upon 
whom  he  had  previously  served  the  warrant ;  but  his  eye  did  not 
fall  upon  the  man  he  had  so  much  longed  to  arrest. 

22d.  —  A  convention  was  holden  to-day  in  Lawrence  to  nomi 
nate  state  officers.  It  was  fully  attended.  The  forenoon  was 
warm  and  pleasant ;  but  the  change  in  the  weather,  soon  after 
dinner,  was  terrible. 

The  cold  every  moment  increased,  and  snow  commenced  falling 
with  the  evening  shadows.  E.  wrapped  herself  in  blankets,  and 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER  —  DEATH  OF  BROWN.    165 

took  a  nap  on  the  lounge.  I  tried  to  write  a  letter,  sitting  on 
a  cricket,  close  to  the  stove,  with  lamp  upon  a  music-stool ;  but  it 
required  so  much  time  to  change  positions,  to  keep  some  part  of 
me  from  freezing,  that  I  concluded  to  lay  it  by  for  a  warmer  day 
The  next  suggestion  was,  as  it  would  be  late  before  they  would 
return  from  the  convention,  to  try  to  go  to  sleep.  There  was  a 
crispy  sound  of  new-fallen  snow,  the  moment  one's  foot  was  on  the 
stairway,  and  all  through  the  chambers,  over  trunks,  bureaus, 
beds,  and  everywhere,  was  spread  this  white  mantle.  The  roof 
was  impervious  to  rain,  but  the  fine  snow  sifted  in  everywhere. 
So,  gently  shaking  the  pillows,  I  lay  down,  and  the  fleecy  covering 
was  still  falling.  Twice  I  went  down  to  replenish  the  fire,  lest 
when  they  came  they  would  be  almost  frozen,  and  the  clock  struck 
three,  ere,  through  the  wildness  of  the  night,  I  heard  cheerful 
voices  approaching  the  house.  Some  of  the  gentlemen  had  frozen 
their  ears,  and  were  free  to  declare  that  the  night  was  awful. 

"We  New  Englanders  consoled  ourselves  by  thinking  that  in  her 
borders  it  was  even  colder  than  here,  while  our  guests,  who  had 
been  used  to  the  mild  climate  of  southern  Illinois  and  Kentucky, 
could  hardly  believe  that  this  was  the  "  very  mild  climate  "  which 
travellers  have  termed  it,  or  that  "  cattle  could  graze  "  and  "  flow 
ers  bloom  the  whole  year."  Before  the  gentlemen  retired,  I  made 
an  effort  to  remove  the  snow  from  their  bed  ;  but  it  was  continu 
ally  falling,  and  the  attempt  was  nearly  useless. 

23^.  —  T.  and  S.  have  returned  from  Lecompton.  They  were 
committed  for  trial,  but  Jones  let  them  out  on  parole,  until  the 
time  they  are  to  go  to  Leavenworth  to  be  imprisoned. 

24^.  —  Still  snowing,  and  the  weather  terribly  severe.  The 
thermometer  seventeen  degrees  below  zero,  wind  is  blowing,  and  the 
snow  drifting  into  all  imaginable  shapes.  To  travel  in  it  seems 
impossible,  and  many  times  to-day  I  am  querying  what  will  be 
come  of  the  party  who  left  here  last  evening.  To  face  a  Missouri 
mob  is  nothing  to  facing  these  winds  which  sweep  over  the  prairies. 

Four  young  men  —  two  from  New  England,  one  from  England, 
and  our  Scotch  friend  —  are  stopping  here.  They  try  to  write, 
but  the  ink  can  only  be  kept  in  a  fluid  state  by  keeping  it  on  the 
stove,  while  it  freezes  in  their  pens.  Were  it  not  for  their  good 


166  KANSAS. 

spirits,  and  fun-loving  natures,  I  believe  we  should  all  freeze  to 
gether.  As  it  is,  there  are  many  things  to  provoke  a  laugh  even 
amid  the  discomforts,  and  a  little  warmth  remains.  We  think 
such  weather  as  this  can  only  last  a  day  or  two;  for  last  year,  at 
Christmas,  people  sat  with  doors  and  windows  open. 

The  cows  and  mules,  wandering  about  without  shelter,  not  being 
able  to  get  a  nibble  for  themselves,  look  at  me  pleadingly,  as  much 
as  to  say,  "  Why  don't  you  feed  me  ?  "  while  many  of  them  find 
their  way  into  our  barn  and  help  themselves. 

26th.  —  Cold,  bitter,  stinging  cold  ;  not  so  windy  as  yesterday, 
but  the  cold  more  intense.  Thermometer  ranging  between  twenty 
and  thirty  degrees  below  zero.  The  water  freezes  in  the  tumblers 
at  breakfast,  and  everything  eatable,  or  intended  to  be  eaten,  is 
frozen  hard.  The  bread  can  only  be  cut  as  we  thaw  it  by  the  fire, 
setting  the  loaf  down  and  cutting  one  piece  at  a  time.  Potatoes, 
squashes,  pumpkins,  citrons,  and  apples,  are  as  hard  as  rocks. 
Several  glass  pickle-jars,  filled  with  ketchup,  are  broken  open  from 
top  to  bottom. 

2Qth.  —  It  is  no  warmer  yet.  What  will  the  poor  settlers  do 
who  have  no  floors  in  their  cabins  ?  —  and  there  are  many  such. 
WTill  their  hopeful,  cheerful  spirit,  which  has  borne  them  through 
the  dark  hours  now  scarcely  passed,  sustain  them  against  physical 
suffering,  it  may  be  actual  want  ?  The  sacking  of  their  grana 
ries  and  open  houses  will  cause  untold  ills. 

Now,  when  New  England  hears  of  the  destitution  of  her  own 
children,  fighting  her  battles,  trusting  their  all  in  this  dangerous 
strife,  will  she  put  her  hands  into  her  well-filled  pockets,  and 
send  of  her  fulness  for  their  necessities  ?  Hungary,  yes,  poor, 
bleeding  Hungary,  sought  aid  and  found  it  here.  The  nation's 
heart  responded.  Greece  stretched  forth  her  hands  not  in  vain. 
Shall  the  imploring  cry  of  destitute,  starving  Kansas  reach  no 
pitying  heart  ? 

Gov.  Shannon  has  been  at  Lecompton  for  some  time.  He  did 
hot  come  to  Lawrence,  as  he  proposed,  and  it  is  said  he  is  soon 
going  home.  The  glory  won  here  in  his  famous  war  will  probably 
suffice  him  for  the  remnant  of  Jiis  life,  and  he  may  conclude  to 
retire  upon  his  laurels. 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER — DEATH  OF  BROWN.    167 

The  circuit  court  should  have  met  last  week  at  Lecompton,  but 
after  keeping  the  prisoners  there  all  of  the  week,  the  judge  not 
then  appearing,  the  court  was  adjourned  until  the  March  term. 
Some  of  the  rescuers  have  given  bail,  but  T.  and  S.  still  refused  to 
do  so,  as  it  would  be  recognizing  the  Missouri  territorial  justice. 
Getting  weary  of  waiting  for  Judge  Lecompte's  appearance,  the 
patience  of  the  border  ruffians  at  Lecompton  was  exhausted.  They 
even  went  so  far  as  to  threaten  his  removal,  and  cursed  him  in  no 
stinted  terms.  S.,  with  his  love  of  a  good  joke,  said, 

"  If  you  want  to  get  him  removed,  I  '11  tell  you  how  you  may 
easily  do  it." 

"  How  is  it?  "  asked  the  renowned  Sheriff  Jones. 

"  Why,  get  him  to  join  the  free-state  party." 

Another  outrage  has  been  committed  at  Leavenworth.  During 
Col.  Delahay's  absence,  while  attending  the  convention  here,  his 
press  was  thrown  into  the  river.  It  looks  singular,  as  he  is  a 
national  democrat,  and  a  personal  friend  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas. 
He  has  also  always  been  wonderfully  conservative,  and  ever 
counselled  no  resistance  to  the  laws.  He  was,  with  other  leading 
men  at  Leavenworth,  so  fearful  of  doing  anything  to  offend  the 
border  men,  that  he  declined  to  do  anything  for  the  defence  of 
Lawrence.  Some  of  them  said,  "  They  have  got  into  a  scrape ;  let 
them  get  out  the  best  way  they  can  !  "  and  one  of  them,  a  bache 
lor,  said,  "  We  must  stay  at  home  and  defend  our  own  wives  and 
children."  Col.  Delahay,  however,  was  a  member  of  the  consti 
tutional  convention,  and  it  may  be  for  this  that  the  Missouri  mob 
treated  his  press  so  rudely. 

2Stk.  —  Doctor  arrived  home  from  Kansas  city.  He  had,  in 
addition  to  his  heavy  fur  coat,  fur  gloves,  and  fur-lined  over 
shoes,  a  heavy  shawl  and  mittens,  and  was  very  cold  even  then. 
On  his  way  down  he  suffered  so  severely  from  the  cold,  that  with 
assistance  he  went  into  an  Indian  hut  to  warm,  and  for  a  half  hour 
lay  fainting  on  the  floor.  The  cold  at  Kansas  city  has  been  even 
greater  than  here.  It  is  apparently  quiet  along  the  border,  yet 
the  press  in  the  frontier  towns,  as  well  as  those  papers  of  pro- 
slavery  sentiments  in  the  territory,  are  endeavoring  to  inflame  the 


168  KANSAS. 

populace  in  such  articles  as  the  following,  taken  from  the  Kickapoo 
Pioneer,  of  Dec.  26  : 

"  But-  the  abolitionists,  or  free-state  men,  if  you  please,  have 
become  dissatisfied,  and  are  willing  to  violate  the  constitution  of 
their  country,  which  explicitly  recognizes  slavery,  and  disfran 
chise  themselves  as  loyal  citizens,  for  the  purpose  of  stealing  ne 
groes,  and  committing  other  unconstitutional  and  unlawful  dep 
redations.  Should  such  men  receive  any  compassion  from  an  or 
derly,  union-loving  people  ?  No  !  It  is  this  class  of  men  that 
have  congregated  at  Lawrence,  and  it  is  this  class  of  men  that 
Kansas  must  get  rid  of.  And  we  know  of  no  better  method  than 
for  every  man  who  loves  his  country,  and  the  laws  by  which  he  is 
governed,  to  meet  in  Kansas  and  kill  off  this  God-forsaken  class 
of  humanity  as  soon  as  they  place  their  feet  upon  our  soil." 

While  articles  like  these  are  circulated  through  the  borders,  let 
ters,  calling  for  men  and  money,  are  industriously  written  arid 
published  throughout  the  South.  Southern  Kansas  aid  societies 
are  being  formed,  and  it  is  rumored  that  Gren.  Quitman,  of  Missis 
sippi,  of  filibuster  renown,  has  given  twenty-five  hundred  dollars 
to  this  society,  and  will  be  here  in  the  spring  with  several  hundred 
men  from  that  state.  Major  Buford,  of  Alabama,  has  contributed 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars  for  a  similar  purpose,  and  upon  the 
opening  of  navigation  proposes  to  be  here  with  three  hundred 
southerners.  Notwithstanding  the  hue  and  cry  made  over  north 
ern  emigrant  aid  societies,  will  there  be  aught  said  against  these? 

Jan.  1st.  —  A  beautiful,  sunny  morning  ushers  in  the  new  year, 
but  the  air  is  still  keen  and  cold.  For  nearly  ten  days  the  cold 
has  been  without  precedent,  and  we,  of  New  England,  who  came 
hoping  to  find  warm  and  pleasant  winters,  begin  to  surmise  we  are 
in  the  wrong  latitude,  and  talk  of  a  new  emigration  still  south 
ward. 

A  gentleman  here  to-day,  who  has  lived  in  Missouri  over  twenty 
years,  says  he  has  never  seen  such  weather  as  this.  With  his 
large,  blue  blankets,  a  place  being  cut  in  the  centre  through  which 
he  slips  his  head,  his  ears  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  face  being 
protected  by  a  worsted  fabric  of  gray  color,  one  can  hardly  tell 
whether  he  belongs  to  the  Anglo-Saxon  or  the  aboriginal  race. 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER  —  DEATH  OF  BROWN.     169 

The  little  boy,  whose  family  has  but  recently  moved  into  the  next 
house  beyond  us,  has  been  in,  nearly  frozen.  He  carries  all  the 
water  the  family  use  from  our  spring,  making  a  distance  of  nearly 
half  a  mile.  He  is  a  slight  little  fellow,  and  only  twelve  years 
old.  He  has  two  pails,  and  dips  the  water  with  a  half-pint  cup. 
He  sits  a  long  time  by  the  dining-room  stove,  and  seems  to  suffer 
much  from  his  frost-bitten  fingers.  There  is  to  be  a  new-year's 
party  at  the  hotel,  and  the  lovers  of  gayety  will  be  there. 

Qtk.  —  yVlio  ever  saw  so  clear  a  morning  as  this  ?  The  smoke 
from  the  Indian  houses  over  in  the  Delaware  Reserve,  and  five 
miles  away,  could  be  seen  gracefully  curling  and  rising  above  the 
trees,  as  plainly  as  that  from  the  house  nearest  us.  The  smoke 
rising  from  so  many  dwellings,  far  and  near,  from  the  compact 
settlement  of  Lawrence,  and  the  sun  shining  upon  the  snow,  making 
it  look  like  a  broad  mantle  studded  with  glittering  gems,  formed 
a  pleasing,  novel  sight,  well  worth  a  place  in  memory's  gallery. 

IQtk.  —  What  odd-looking  sleighs  our  people  ride  in,  and  how 
they  glide  over  the  smooth,  level  way  !  Yankee  invention,  so 
much  despised,  brings  a  mine  of  comfort  to  her  frontier  children. 
A  sleigh  is  wanted ;  the  enterprising  youth  goes  into  the  woods, 
and  cuts  two  poles  long  enough  for  runners  and  shafts.  A  little 
part  between  the  shafts  and  runners,  leaving  each  the  required 
length,  is  shaved  from  the  upper  side,  so  that  they  will  bend  easily. 
A  few  little  cross-pieces  being  put  in,  and  two  or  three  cross-boards 
on  the  runners,  with  a  box  for  a  seat,  the  vehicle  is  complete. 
This  is  the  most  simple  contrivance  of  all.  There  is  another  vari 
ety  of  wagon-body  on  runners,  which  has  the  advantage  of  greater 
safety  over  the  other,  with  sufficient  lightness.  From  the  first  we 
have  learned  of  some  laughable  accidents.  A  day  or  two  since,  two 
young  men  were  riding  quite  briskly  along,  when,  coming  to  a 
drift,  the  horse  stopped  suddenly,  and  one  of  our  friends,  quicker 
than  thought,  found  himself  head  foremost  in  a  deep  bank,  little 
more  than  boots  being  visible.  He  was  so  completely  pinioned  by 
the  depth  of  snow,  and  by  the  force  with  which  he  was  sent  from 
the  slight  vehicle,  that  it  was  only  after  extra  help  had  arrived 
that  he  was  extricated.  He  suffered  no  injury,  and  joined  in  the 
laugh  of  the  bystanders. 
15 


170  KANSAS. 

li.Qt/1.  —  Word  came  in  last  night,  about  eleven  o'clock,  of  an 
attack  at  Easton,  two  messengers  having  narrowly  escaped  with 
the  intelligence.  S.  had  gone  down,  late  at  night,  to  see  if  there 
was  any  news,  and  he  brought  back  the  startling  intelligence  that 
a  fight  had  occurred  at  Easton.  One  pro-slavery  man,  named 
Cook,  mortally  wounded  ;  some  free-state,  men  in  the  hands  of  the 
mob,  whom  they  threatened  to  hang  if  Cook  dies.  The  council  of 
war  was  to  be  held,  and  doctor  went  down  with  S.  immediately. 
Not  long  after  I  was  awakened  again  by  a  loud  knocking  at 
the  door.  I  opened  the  window  and  asked,  "  What 's  wanted  ?  " 
The  reply  was,  "  The  general  wishes  T.  to  saddle  the  horse  and 
send  him  down  by  me."  After  some  amusing  and  fruitless  efforts, 
T.  was  at  last  awakened  enough  to  know  that  war  was  abroad,  and 
the  horse  was  soon  on  his  way  to  head-quarters. 

Two  or  three  horsemen  left  immediately  for  Leavenworth,  to 
apply  to  Judge  Lecompte  for  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  that  the 
prisoners  might  be  released  from  the  gang,  while  others  started  for 
Easton,  the  scene  of  the  trouble.  Our  people  are  feeling  much 
excited,  and  ready  to  lend  any  assistance  to  their  neighbors  in 
peril. 

Owing  to  the  disturbances  at  LeavenwTorth  on  the  fifteenth  of 
December,  and  from  rumors  of  another  mob  gathering  just  across 
the  river,  to  prevent  this  election  of  the  fifteenth  of  January,  the 
mayor  issued  a  proclamation  forbidding  an  election  to  be  held  at 
Leavenworth.  A  few  of  the  free-state  men  then  went  to  Easton, 
about  twelve  miles  from  Leavenworth,  where  the  election  had  been 
postponed  until  the  seventeenth.  On  their  way  to  the  polls,  some 
persons  were  stopped  and  disarmed  by  a  body  of  armed  men.  In 
the  afternoon  a  company  came  to  Mr.  Minard's  house,  where  the 
election  was  held,  and  threatened  to  destroy  the  ballot-boxes.  Late 
sit  night,  as  Mr.  Sparks  and  his  son  were  leaving  for  home,  they 
were  attacked  and  taken  prisoners  by  three  men.  Information  of 
it  reached  Mr.  Minard  immediately,  by  a  man  who  left  his  house 
in  company  with  Mr.  Sparks.  Mr.  Brown  and  a  company  of 
others  went  to  the  relief  of  Mr.  Sparks,  and  saved  him  when  in 
imminent  peril.  As  the  rescued  returned  with  the  rescuers  to  the 
house,  they  were  fired  upon.  They  returned  the  fire,  and  an  irreg- 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER  —  DEATH  OF  BROWN.    171 

ular  fight,  firing  from  behind  buildings,  commenced.  One  or  two 
free-state  men  were  slightly  wounded,  while  a  Mr.  Cook,  of  bitter 
pro-slavery  feelings,  was  wounded  mortally. 

'21st.  —  Sunday.  Our  messengers  returned  to-night,  and  brought 
certain  knowledge  of  the  murder  of  II.  P.  Brown.  The  blood  chilled 
in  our  veins  as  we  heard  the  recital  of  the  horrid  outrage,  and  the 
beating  heart  cried,  is  there  no  justice  —  no  avenger  ?  After  Mr. 
S.  left  for  Lawrence,  Mr.  Brown,  and  seven  others  from  Leaven- 
worth,  attempted  to  return  there.  They  were  followed,  and  taken 
prisoners  by  the  Kickapoo  Rangers,  headed  by  Capt.  John  W. 
Martin.  Mr.  Brown  was  placed  in  a  room  apart  from  the  others 
of  his  party.  The  hours  were  passing,  and  the  men  who  had 
them  in  their  power  were  becoming  yet  more  brutal  by  the  free 
use  of  liquor,  and  they  were  bent  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Brown. 
Capt.  Martin  used  his  influence  to  prevent  such  a  deed ;  but,  after 
doing  all  in  his  power  to  save  him,  he  went  home.  The  cruel 
crowd  then  took  him  out  of  the  house,  and,  with  blows  and  kicks, 
and  knocking  him  upon  the  frozen  earth,  and  literally  hacking 
him  in  pieces  with  a  hatchet,  they  showed  themselves  fiendish 
beyond  the  unenlightened  savage.  Then  throwing  him  into  a 
wagon,  with  wounds  undressed,  he  was  borne  several  miles,  through 
the  piercing  cold  of  a  January  night,  to  his  home.  He  could  only 
say  to  his  wife,  "  I  am  murdered  by  a  set  of  cowards,"  and  death 
ended  his  sufferings. 

The  slave  power  has  another  victim,  and  the  shame,  the  eternal 
infamy  of  his  mournful  death  will  forever,  like  an  incubus,  rest 
upon  his  soul  who  has  the  power,  yet  offers  no  interference 
against  the  hunting  down  of  our  citizens,  by  worse  than  Florida 
blood-hounds  !  Was  there  ever  an  administration  so  utterly  vile 
as  this  ? 

Mr.  Brown  was  a  tall  man,  with  pleasant  dark  eyes,  olive-brown 
complexion,  and  dark  abundant  hair.  He  was  at  Lawrence  during 
the  siege  ;  one  of  the  few  from  Leavenworth  who  ventured  so  far 
from  home.  He  leaves  a  wife  and  child  to  mourn  over  his  sad, 
heart-rending  fate.  While  Kansas'  wrongs  are  written  in  the 
blood  of  her  citizens,  the  cruel,  bloody  death  of  her  fourth  martyr 


172  KANSAS. 

for  freedom  will  never  be  effaced  from  the  memories  of  the  dwellers 
in  this  far-away  land. 

23d.  —  More  messengers  are  in  from  Easton  ;  men  driven  from 
their  homes  upon  peril  of  their  lives,  and  with  continued  threats 
of  violence.  They  come  to  Lawrence,  as  to  a  city  of  refuge.  Mr. 
Sparks  is  now  in  peril  from  bands  of  armed  Missourians.  Some 
twenty -five  men  go  up  from  here  and  Topeka.  One  man,  who 
came  down  to  notify  the  people  here,  escaped  from  a  band  of 
twelve  men  in  hot  pursuit,  —  something  after  Gen.  Putnam's  mode, 
of  revolutionary  memory,  —  by  leaping  over  a  precipitous  bank, 
while  the  enemy  did  not  dare  follow.  While  they  were  looking 
for  a  smoother  descent,  he  had  time  to  escape.  After  Mr.  M. 
had  been  obliged  to  leave  his  home,  some  of  the  ruffians  went  to 
his  house,  asking  "  if  they  could  come  in  to  get  warm."  Mrs.  M. 
replied,  "  they  could  do  so  by  giving  her  their  guns."  As  they 
sat  by  the  fire,  they  told  her  "  they  had  killed  her  husband/' 
However,  she  gave  no  credence  to  it. 

Major  Robinson,  of  Tecumseh,  died  to-day.  He  has  been  ill 
most  of  the  time  since  the  invasion  of  Lawrence,  the  disease  hav 
ing  been  contracted  from  exposure  at  that  time.  For  some  time 
he  was  sick  at  the  Cincinnati  House  ;  but  there  is  little  room  there 
for  sick  people,  and  no  quiet ;  and  the  noble  woman,  who  has  sac 
rificed  much  for  the  cause,  in  the  exposures  of  last  winter  and 
this,  and  the  constant  absence  of  her  husband,  offered  her  cabin, 
under  the  shadow  of  the  hotel,  as  a  place  of  rest  and  quiet  to  the 
sick  stranger.  The  unconsciousness  of  disease  was  upon  him  much 
of  the  time,  and  when  his  mind  was  dull  to  things  about  him,  far 
away  scenes  were  fresh  in  his  memory,  and  friends  he  had  long 
loved  were  ministering  by  his  bedside.  He  talked  much  with 
his  mother,  when  clouds  darkened  his  mental  vision.  He  said  to 
her,  "  Take  off  my  shoes,  mother,  for  I  am  tired  and  weary,  and 
I  cannot  travel  further."  So,  with  this  sweet  consciousness  of  loved 
friends  around  him,  his  life's  journey  closed. 

2±tk,  —  It  was  a  little  milder  this  morning;  and,  not  having 
been  out  since  the  cold  weather  came,  I  proposed  to  T.  to  take  me 
to  call  on  a  friend,  and  to  the  stores.  Not  knowing  my  arrange 
ments,  the  doctor  had  lent  both  horse  and  carriage ;  and,  as  I 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER  —  DEATH  OF  BROWN.    173 

came  down  stairs,  cloak  and  bonnet  on,  they  were  already  out  of 
sight.  T.  said,  "  We  '11  not  lose  our  ride  in  this  way,"  and  sug 
gested  taking  Mr.  P.'s  buggy,  which  was  in  a  sadly  dilapidated 
condition,  and  a  mule  of  somebody's  else,  quartered  in  the  barn 
for  a  few  days.  My  only  question  was  as  to  safety,  and  we  were 
soon  rattling  over  the  drifts,  now  one  side  inclining  far  down, 
threatening  to  spill  us  out,  and  then  the  other.  This  incessant 
rattling  put  speed  into  the  wild  mule,  and  a  John  Gilpin  ride  we 
had  of  it  for  the  first  quarter  of  a  mile.  However,  by  clinging  to 
the  frame-work  of  the  seat,  for  there  was  nothing  left  of  it  but  the 
frame-work,  we  passed  over  the  ravine  at  the  foot  of  the  long  slop 
ing  hill  west  of  the  house,  in  safety,  and  the  mule  took  an  easier 
gait  both  for  himself  and  us.  We  reached  the  place  of  our  desti 
nation.  A  gentleman  opened  the  door,  and  asked  very  blandly, 
"  Is  this  the  state  carriage  ?  " 

Doctor  having  had  a  more  recent  title  than  that  of  general 
bestowed  upon  him,  I  answered,  "  Yes  ;  and  will  your  wife 
accept  the  honor  of  a  ride  ?  " 

He  looked  with  a  dubious  expression  at  the  broken  dasher, 
swinging  forward  and  back  at  every  motion,  the  bottom  half 
broken  out,  the  shafts  tied  on  with  ropes,  and  the  seat  cushion- 
less,  and  destitute  of  every  bit  of  leather  it  ever  boasted,  to  say 
nothing  of  broken  springs,  and  wheels  with  tire  half  off,  and  said, 
"Yes,  if  you  will  insure  her  safety." 

With  blue  blankets  before  and  around  us,  instead  of  buffalo- 
robes,  we  were  soon  on  our  way  to  town,  and  hurried  along  at  the 
mule's  own  pace.  We  laughed  until  we  were  weary  at  the  mule's 
antic  motions,  never  before  having  had  the  honor  of  a  ride  after 
one.  T.  and  Mrs.  C.,  both  Boston  bred,  laughed  at  the  idea  of 
what  an  impression  such  an  establishment,  and  such  speed,  would 
make  down  Washington-street  some  pleasant  winter's  day.  After 
a  short  call  at  our  stores,  than  which  there  are  none  better  in 
most  New  England  villages,  neatly  furnished  as  some  of  them  are 
with  black  walnut  shelves  and  counters,  we  went  home. 

Letters  from  Kansas  city  and  Leavenworth  state  that  some 
deep-laid  scheme  for  our  ruin  is  being  planned.  They  do  not 
know  what  it  is,  yet  advise  us  to  prepare  for  the  worst.  There 
15* 


1 74  KANSAS. 

» 

is  a  perfect  lull  at  those  places,  —  no  bravado,  no  threats,  —  all 
of  which  reminds  us  of  the  fearful  calm  always  preceding  the 
bursting  out  of  a  volcano.  Prominent  pro-slavery  men  are  seen 
riding  into  a  town ;  they  hold  a  few  moments'  conversation  with 
the  leaders  of  their  party  there,  then  disappear.  Quickly  they 
are  at  another  settlement ;  but  no  word  is  dropped  as  to  the 
designs. 

A  half  ton  of  lead,  and  nearly  as  much  powder,  arrived  to-day. 
Other  teams,  loaded  with  the  same  needful,  are  on  the  way.  Pro 
visions,  too,  are  fast  coming  in,  and  we  will  soon  be  able  to  stand 
quite  a  siege.  Sixty  men,  detailed  from  the  various  companies, 
are  at  work  upon  the  different  fortifications.  A  guard  is  again  to 
watch  hourly  for  our  safety. 

The  Kickapoo  Pioneer  office  issued,  on  the  morning  after  the 
murder  of  Brown,  January  18th,  the  following  extra,  commencing, 
"  Rally !  rally  !  "  After  making  several  misstatements,  —  among 
others,  that  an  abolition  company  from  Lawrence  had  made  an 
attack  upon  the  pro-slavery  men, —  it  goes  on  :  "  Forbearance  has 
now  ceased  to  be  a  virtue ;  therefore,  we  call  upon  every  pro- 
slavery  man  in  the  land  to  rally  to  the  rescue.  Kansas  must  be 
immediately  rescued  from  the  tyrannical  dogs.  The  Kickapoo 
Rangers  are  at  this  moment  beating  to  arms.  A  large  number 
of  pro-slavery  men  will  leave  this  place  for  Easton  in  twenty 
minutes.  The  war  has  again  commenced,  and  the  abolitionists 
have  again  commenced  it.  Pro-slavery  men,  law  and  order  men, 
strike  for  your  altars !  strike  for  your  firesides  !  strike  for  your 
rights  !  Avenge  the  blood  of  your  brethren  who  have  been  cow 
ardly  assailed,  but  who  have  bravely  fallen  in  defence  of  southern 
institutions.  Sound  the  bugle  of  war  over  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land,  and  leave  not  an  abolitionist  in  the  territory  to  relate 
their  treacherous  and  contaminating  deeds.  Strike  your  piercing 
rifle-balls  and  your  glittering  steel  to  their  black  and  poisonous 
hearts  !  Let  the  war-cry  never  cease  in  Kansas  again  until  our 
territory  is  wrested  of  the  last  vestige  of  abolitionism." 

%Dth.  —  Still  more  snow.  The  beautiful  white  covering  lies  two 
feet  in  depth  on  a  level,  and  four  or  five  in  the  drifts  all  over  the 
country.  It  is  the  shield,  the  protection  of  the  good  Father  for  our 


FUNERAL  OF  BARBER  —  DEATH  OF  BROWN.    175 

defence.  While  the  administration,  with  that  corruption  which  will 
make  it  infamous  in  the  annals  of  our  country  in  all  coming  time, 
turns  a  deaf  car  to  the  agonized  cry  of  widows  and  orphans  ;  while 
tho  President  says,  "No  acts  prejudicial  to  good  order  have  oc 
curred  under  circumstances  to  justify  the  interposition  of  the 
federal  governmeu1."  t  !••<->  en-'  of  Him,  who  will  call  to  account  for 
his  stewardship  any  v*  >o  nv.ke  so  base  a  use  of  power,  is  open,  and 
he  sends,  for  the  present  safety,  this  weather  of  unequalled  sever 
ity,  and  fast-falling  snows. 

Horses  go  ploughing  through  it,  with  difficulty  making  any 
headway.  The  most  people  we  see  moving  to-day  are  with  heavy 
sleds  of  wood,  drawn  by  three  or  four  yoke  of  oxen.  We  burn  a 
cord  and  a  half  of  wood  a  week,  and,  our  wood-pile  growing  less 
not  very  gradually,  we  have  watched  with  a  good  deal  of  interest 
a  load  which  attempted  to  come  up  the  hill  this  afternoon.  The 
oxen  pulled  with  all  their  strength ;  the  driver  now  coaxed,  and 
then  scolded.  The  oxen  would  lose  their  foothold,  and  plunge 
headlong  into  the  deep  drifts.  Sometimes  the  forward  yoke  of 
cattle  would  turn  fairly  around,  and  face  the  load.  All  exertions 
to  right  them  were  of  no  avail  until  they  were  unyoked.  As  the 
night  was  coming  fast,  and  the  driver  two  miles  from  home,  the 
load  was  thrown  off  about  half  way  up  the  hill.  The  next  morn 
ing  the  man  came  back,  and  succeeded  in  getting  half  of  the  load 
to  the  house.  He  was  until  midnight  getting  home  the  pre 
vious  night,  as  he  lost  his  way  and  wandered  about  hours  ia  the 
darkness. 

Wood  is  one  of  the  principal  articles  of  consumption  here  this 
winter.  Most  of  that  burned  is  black  walnut.  There  is  also  no 
lack  of  provisions  here.  Flour  of  the  best  quality  can  be  bought 
in  Missouri  for  four  dollars  and  a  half  per  hundred.  We  have 
always  had  good  flour  until  this  winter.  Just  after  the  invasion, 
a  load  of  flour  made  of  grown  wheat  was  brought  in.  Apples,  of 
the  best  quality  and  flavor,  are  very  plenty.  They  sold  in  the 
autumn  for  one  dollar  a  bushel.  Sweet  potatoes  were  abundant 
at  one  dollar  twenty-five  cents.  These,  with  the  apples,  came 
from  Missouri,  but  the  nicest  of  squashes  and  other  vegetables 
were  raised  in  the  territory.  Squashes  sold  for  one  cent  per 


176  KANSAS. 

pound,  and  pumpkins  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  hundred. 
Butter,  made  here,  is  very  nice,  and  until  quite  recently  has 
been  plenty  at  twenty-five  cents.  Milk  varies  from  four  to  ten 
cents  per  quart.  Beside  the  meats,  beef,  etc.,  venison,  prairie 
chickens,  turkeys,  rabbits  arid  squirrels,  are  often  in  the  market ; 
also  oysters,  in  sealed  cans.  Yet,  with  all  these  gratifications  for 
the  palate,  it  is  more  than  probable  that,  all  these  long  days, 
some  of  our  people  have  not  tasted  of  them  for  want  of  money  to 
buy  them.  Many  a  person  gave  freely  of  what  he  had  in  the 
siege  of  December,  and  while  on  guard  at  Lawrence  lost  all  of  his 
crops  at  home.  As  a  people  we  are  bankrupt.  Remittances  from 
the  East  are  lost,  or  the  same  thing  to  us,  retained,  with  letters, 
by  the  officious  meddlers  in  government  pay  in  a  neighboring 
state.  Money  drafts  are  months  on  their  way,  when  twelve  or  four 
teen  days  is  all-sufficient  time  for  the  journey.  The  people  in  the 
territory  are  at  no  time  safe.  The  cabin  of  the  lone  settler  on 
the  prairie  is  momentarily  exposed  to  attack,  yet  no  light  conies 
from  Congress  —  none  from  its  head. 

This  winter  will  be  ever  remembered  for  its  unprecedented 
severity,  and  for  that  wicked  use  of  power  by  the  administration 
which  would  make  the  career  of  Caligula  magnanimous  and  spot 
less  in  the  comparison.  Those  who  sit  in  sealed  houses,  and  by 
warm  hearth-stones,  no  foes  without  or  fears  within,  can  never 
realize,  as  we  in  Kansas,  on  the  exposed  outposts,  what  a  winter 
this  has  been  to  us.  Our  senses  sharpened  by  the  actual  necessi 
ties  of  life,  and  our  perceptions  quickened  by  their  unsleeping 
vigilance  and  constant  action,  none  better  than  we  can  realize  the 
terrible  infamy  which  will  cling  to  those  who  have  been  the  chief 
abettors  in  filling  up  this  cup  of  evil.  Wrong-doing  has  marked 
their  pathway,  and  shame  will  be  their  reward.  Yet  there  is  a 
golden  bow  of  promise  over  us,  the  bright  rainbow  of  hope;  and, 
in  characters  clear  as  the  sunlight  and  radiant  as  truth,  beneath 
the  arch  encircling  the  snow-clad  hills  and  prairies,  and  the  sad 
dwellers  among  them,  is  written:  "The  days  of  the  tyrant  are 
numbered.  He  will  hasten  on  his  own  downfall." 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE   WINTER  IN  THE  TERRITORY  —  STATE   LEGISLATURE. 

2Qtk. — The  men  were  early  at  their  work  this  morning  upon 
the  little  cabins  in  the  forts.  Stoves  are  to  be  put  in  them  as  soon 
as  finished,  and  then  soldiers  will  board  in  them  as  in  times  of 
war.  The  largest  fort,  which  is  at  the  foot  of  Massachusetts- 
street,  commanding  the  way  to  the  river,  is  of  circular  form, 
about  five  feet  high,  with  a  broad  walk  upon  the  top,  perhaps 
four  feet  wide.  It  is  about  one  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  and  is 
built  of  earth  and  timbers.  A  sentinel  is  continually  pacing  the 
rounds  upon  the  top. 

The  general  and  other  officers  are  at  all  times  busy  in  the 
council-room.  Scarcely  six  weeks  have  passed  since  Gov.  Shan 
non's  famous  treaty  ;  he  has  now  gone  home,  and  the  plan  seems 
to  be  to  do  what  is  to  be  done  in  his  absence,  while  Woodson  is 
acting  governor.  He,  having  been  instrumental  in  getting  the 
Platte  County  Rifle  Boys  to  come  to  the  invasion  of  Lawrence,  will 
not  hesitate  to  do  anything  now  which  a  Missouri  mob  asks 
of  him. 

In  the  evening  T.  was  asleep  on  the  lounge,  E.  and  I  wore 
sitting  in  the  bright  moonlight,  when  the  loud  booming  of  cann;  n, 
the  shouts  of  men,  and  the  barking  of  dog*,  startled  us.  Wish 
the  door  open  we  could  see  no  strange  thing,  but  the  noise  con 
tinued.  It  could  not  be  Missourians,  for  they  would  not  attack 
the  town  so  early  in  the  evening,  or  on  such  a  bright  night. 

T.  awakened,  and  as  we  gave  him  no  sati.^fuctory  answer  to 
his  question  of  "  What 's  that  ?  "  he  rose  hastily,  saying,  "  I  believe 
those  hounds  have  come."  His  pistol-belt  was  soon  fastened  on, 
and,  as  he  left  the  door,  he  said,  "  Good-by,  if  I  don't  see  you 


178  KANSAS. 

again."    He  was  hastening  away,  when  I   said  to  him,  "You 
must  let  me  know  somehow  what  is  doing." 

"Yes,  I  will  send  you  word,  if  I  cannot  come  myself." 
As  through  the  still  night-air  these  words  were  borne  to  me,  the 
young,  city-bred  youth,  whose  heart  beats  warmly  for  freedom  — 
freedom  for  all,  was  far  down  the  hill-side.  Home  friends  were 
continually  writing  him,  "  Why  don't  you  leave  that  God-forsaken 
country,  and  come  home  ? "  With  the  earliest  settlers  he  em 
barked  in  the  holy  cause  of  saving  Kansas  to  freedom,  and  with 
those  principles  deeply  implanted  in  his  nature,  in  the  full  vigor 
and  strength  of  early  manhood,  with  hope  mounting  high,  he  has 
buckled  on  the  armor  of  a  righteous  self-defence,  and  with  the 
watchword  of  victory  he  is  ever  ready  for  active  service.  I 
smile  often  at  his  enthusiasm  of  manner  as  he  says,  "  I  used  often 
to  go  to  the  theatre  at  home,  life  was  so  dull;  but  here  we  have 
a  new  scene  in  the  drama  every  day."  I  sympathize  in  the  feel 
ing,  and  have  half  a  mind  that  all  of  us,  living  where  we  actually 
realize  the  truth,  "  Ye  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth," 
would  find  New  England  paths  dull  and  tame.  Like  him,  there 
are  many  other  young  men,  who,  with  unchecked  aspirations  and 
unblasted  hopes,  have  in  the  trials  of  the  hour  put  on  the  sober 
ness,  the  prudence  of  life  at  its  noon.  Side  by  side  with  furrowed 
brows,  and  dark  locks  silvered  o'er  by  time's  fingers,  they  have 
prepared  for  the  onset.  Our  people  have  grown  strong  in  them 
selves  under  difficulties.  Young  men  of  education  and  talent,  who 
sought  their  home  here,  have  put  forth  new  powers.  Stripped  of 
all  the  artificial  accompaniment  of  old  towns,  driven  by  the  cir 
cumstances  of  the  times  to  exertions  almost  superhuman,  the  hap 
py  brightening  up  of  unused  faculties,  and  the  quickening  of 
relaxed  energies,  have  followed  ;  whereas,  amid  the  hum-drum 
paths  of  the  old  homes,  surrounded  by  their  gloss,  gilding,  and 
effeminacy,  they  would  have  passed  along  life's  even  ways,  attain 
ing  only  middling  ranks  in  their  professions. 

The  women,  too,  of  Kansas  have  shared  in  this  quickening  of 
the  perceptive  and  reflective  faculties  —  the  eifect  of  their  sur 
roundings.  Some,  who  would  have  floated  gayly  down  life's  smooth 
er  tides,  amid  the  glitter,  the  false  show  of  society,  bound  do\vn 


WINTER  IN  TIIE  TERRITORY  —  STATE  LEGISLATURE.    179 

by  an  iron  rule  to  King  Custom's  absurd  ways,  and  would  have 
asked  not  the  great  questions  of  life,  of  its  import,  of  its  destiny, 
have  learned  that  "  life  is  real,  life  is  earnest."  In  the  simplicity 
of  nature,  in  a  new  country,  there  is  a  mutual  dependence  between 
all,  which  is  not  realized  at  home,  and  the  very  needs  of  humanity 
demand  that  one  should  live,  not  for  self,  but  out  of  self,  and  in 
realizing  the  beauty  of  the  poem, 

"  We  live  in  deeds,  not  years, 

In  thoughts,  not  breaths,  in  feelings, 
Not  in  figures  on  a  dial.     He  lives  most 

Who  thinks  most  —  feels  the  noblest  —  acts  the  best. ' ' 

With  a  constant  use  of  faculties  and  sympathies,  the  useless 
ornament  of  a  city  drawing-room  becomes  the  strong,  the  active, 
earnest  woman. 

The  hours  were  passing,  the  noise  down  street  had  ceased,  and 
T.  returned.  He  laughed  as  he  said  "  No  Missourians  yet.  The 
company  have  returned  from  Easton,  and  the  boys  were  giving  them 
a  salute."  He  said,  moreover,  that  they  had  speeches,  and  went 
through  certain  military  manoeuvres,  and  finished  off  with  a  sup 
per  prepared  for  them.  They  encountered  no  difficulties  by  the 
way ;  the  enemy  having  heard  of  their  proposed  visit,  fled  to  Mis 
souri,  leaving  a  clear  field.  One  of  the  men,  who  has  been  threat 
ened  very  grievously  by  them,  they  found  so  strongly  barricaded 
in  his  house,  that  the  enemy  could  never  have  taken  him.  His 
wife  and  six  sons  compose  the  family.  The  old  lady  has  all  the 
fire,  the  spirit  of  a  Spartan  mother. 

Jan.  ^Ith.  —  Still  another  snow.  No  security  from  the  mur 
derous  midnight  assassin  can  be  more  sure  than  the  heavily  drifting 
.«nows  which  cover  the  whole  country.  Plans  of  a  guerilla  war- 
fire  had  been  laid  through  the  whole  border.  The  murder  of 
Brown  and  the  invasion  at  Easton  were  the  forerunners  of  intended 
attacks  upon  the  whole  territory.  The  leaders  of  the  free-state 
party  being  destroyed,  they  calculated  upon  an  easy  victory  over 
the  remainder.  A  letter  of  Atchison,  written  just  before  the  mur 
der  of  Brown,  reveals  the  plan.  The  following  are  a  few  extracts 
from  it . 


180  KANSAS. 

*  *  *  *  "  We  are  in  a  constant  state  of  excitement  here 
(  Platte  city).  The  '  border  ruffians  '  have  access  to  my  room  day 
and  night.  The  very  air  is  full  of  rumors.  We  wish  to  keep 
ourselves  right  before  the  world,  and  we  are  provoked  and  aggra 
vated  beyond  sufferance.  Our  persons  and  property  are  not  for  a 
moment  safe ;  and  yet  we  are  forbid,  by  the  respect  we  owe  our 
friends  elsewhere,  by  respect  for  the  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged, 
to  forbear.  This  state  of  things  cannot  last.  You  are  authorized 
to  publish  the  whole  or  a  part  of  what  I  have  written ;  but  if 
Georgia  intends  to  do  anything,  or  can  do  anything  for  us,  let  it 
be  done  speedily  ! 

"  Let  your  young  men  come  forth  to  Missouri  and  Kansas.  Let 
them  come  well  armed,  with  money  enough  to  support  them  for 
twelve  months,  and  determined  to  see  this  thing  out !  One  hun 
dred  true  men  will  be  an  acquisition.  The  more  the  better.  I  do 
not  see  how  we  are  to  avoid  civil  war;  come  it  will.  Twelve 
months  will  not  elapse  before  war  —  civil  war  of  the  fiercest  kind  — 
will  be  upon  us.  We  are  arming  and  preparing  for  it.  Indeed, 
we  of  the  border  counties  are  prepared.  We  must  have  the  sup 
port  of  the  South.  We  are  fighting  the  battles  of  the  South.  Our 
institutions  are  at  stake.  You  far  southern  men  are  now  out  of 
the  nave  of  the  war,  but,  if  we  fail,  it  will  reach  your  own  doors, 
perhaps  your  hearths.  We  want  men,  armed  men.  We  want 
money  —  not  for  ourselves,  but  to  support  our  friends  who  may 
come  from  a  distance.  I  have  now  in  this  house  two  gallant  young 
men  from  Charleston,  S.  C.  They  are  citizens  of  Kansas,  and  will 
remain  so  until  her  destiny  is  fixed. 

"  Let  your  young  men  come  on  in  squads  as  fast  as  they  can  be 
raised,  well  armed.  We  want  none  but  true  men.  Yours  truly, 

"  D.  R.  ATCIIISON. 

"  P.  S.  —  I  would  not  be  astonished  if  this  day  laid  the  ground 
work  for  a  guerilla  war  in  Kansas.  I  have  heard  of  rumors  of 
strife  and  battle  at  Leavenworth,  seven  miles  from  this  place,  but 
the  ice  is  running  in  the  Missouri  river,  and  I  have  nothing  defi 
nite.  I  was  a  peace-maker  in  the  difficulty  lately  settled  by  Gov. 
Shannon.  I  counselled  the  'ruffians 'to  forbearance,  but  I  will 
never  again  counsel  peace.  D.  II.  A." 


WINTER  IN  THE  TERRITORY  —  STATE  LEGISLATURE.  181 

It  is  Sunday  to-day.  We  hear  no  pleasant  sound  of  church-going 
bell,  but,  instead,  the  pounding  on  the  little  cabins  in  the  forts. 
The  hotel  is  again  turned  into  barracks,  and  through  the  driving 
snow  we  see  the  sentinel  at  his  post.  Rough  times  our  men  see. 
Strong  hearts  and  brave  hands  have  come  in  to  strengthen  the 
town,  leaving,  in  the  rude  cabins  at  home,  wife  and  little  ones  with 
out  protector.  The  officers  in  the  council-room  sleep  on  the  floor, 
or  rude  settees,  when  their  tired  energies  must  have  some  respite. 
Our  people  have  great  faith,  great  hope ;  nothing  but  these  could 
keep  them  so  brave,  so  full  of  courage,  when  dangers  lurk  around. 

A  gentleman  just  returned  from  a  town  south,  some  miles,  said, 
"  I  have  been  in  many  cabins  where  there  was  no  floor,  and  the 
snow  came  in  at  every  crevice,  and  the  cold  was  intense,  yet  I  have 
seen  a  wonderful  cheerfulness  everywhere."  They  endure  present 
suffering,  and  forego  present  comforts,  in  hope  of  an  hour  when 
the  battlements  of  freedom  shall  be  high  and  strong,  and  out  of 
the  rich  and  fertile  earth  shall  arise  pleasant  homes,  at  the  bidding 
of  free  labor.  Their  faith  is  more  potent  than  that  of  the  children 
of  the  wilderness,  who  looked  to  the  brazen  serpent  for  healing. 

Some  gentlemen  were  in  yesterday  from  a  neighboring  settlement 
which  has  been  threatened  by  Missourians.  Signals  are  agreed 
upon,  so  that,  should  an  attack  be  made  there  or  here,  mutual  and 
speedy  assistance  might  be  rendered. 

Pistols  lie  around  the  room  loaded,  and  rifles  are  standing  in 
safe  places.  How  strange  to  our  eastern  friends  would  seem  this 
familiarity  with  fire-arms,  and  stranger  yet  the  necessity  of  carry 
ing  them  to  our  sleeping  apartments,  and  carefully  watching  them 
lest  any  dampness  cause  them  to  corrode ! 

The  last  thought  of  our  waking  hours  is  now  the  possibility  that 
ere  the  morning's  gray  light  the  fiendish  yells  of  the  brutal  assas 
sins  may  be  heard  at  our  own  doors,  crying  for  blood.  But  we 
sleep  with  the  same  quietude  as  in  dear  old  New  England  homes, 
where  safety  was  the  rule,  and  crime  was  met  by  swift-footed  jus 
tice.  Even  this  sense  of  insecurity  is  not  without  its  use,  for,  with 
the  early  waking,  comes  a  deep  sense  of  thankfulness  for  another 
night  safely  passed,  our  home  and  friends  still  spared. 

Feb.  10th.  —  Still  cold.     How  the  weather  prophets  have  all 
16 


182  KANSAS. 

spoken  falsely  !  The  Indians  and  traders,  who  have  lived  many 
years  in  the  country,  have  never  seen  a  winter  like  this.  Many 
people  have  frozen  their  feet,  so  that  for  weeks  they  have  been 
unable  to  walk.  The  general  hilarity  of  the  young  people  has  not, 
however,  been  prevented  by  it.  Sicoxie  's  dwelling  has  been  open 
to  visitors  from  Lawrence,  and  an  occasional  party,  of  a  winter's 
evening,  has  shared  the  hospitalities  of  his  house. 

The  Delawares  are  daily  in  our  streets,  and,  with  their  gay  dress, 
half-civilized,  retaining  always  the  Indian  blanket,  add  a  pleasant 
variety.  Other  tribes,  less  civilized,  driven  by  the  cold  to  winter 
near  a  settlement,  have  pitched  their  tents  on  the  further  bank  of 
the  Kansas.  They  also  buy  their  provisions  here,  and  pack  them 
on  ponies  in  bags.  The  poor  little  human,  too,  is  encased  in  a  red 
flannel  bag,  and  carried  on  the  back  of  the  mothers. 

People  are  now  getting  out  ice  for  the  next  summer's  heat. 
Several  hundred  tons  are  already  cut.  Those  who  work  at  it 
look  oddly  with  their  dress,  half  Indian,  adopting  blankets,  leggins, 
and  moccasins,  as  very  conducive  to  comfort,  while  gloves,  mittens 
and  neck  comforters,  are  the  relics  of  a  former  civilization.  As 
the  party  starts  off,  they  might  be  mistaken  for  voyagers  to  the 
polar  regions. 

There  was  a  wedding,  yesterday,  of  rather  novel  character. 
Early  in  the  autumn  a  man  of  some  forty-five  years  of  age  came 
to  Lawrence.  A  few  more  weeks  passed,  and  sickness  came  to 
him,  then  death.  He  left  a  widow,  over  whose  head  scarcely 
eighteen  summers  had  flown,  to  whom  he  was  married  just  before 
coining  here.  Yesterday  a  second  marriage  was  contracted.  How 
full  of  change  is  life,  and  how  in  such  a  case  as  this  the  affairs  of 
life  jostle  each  other  ! 

T.  came  up  from  town  this  afternoon  saying,  "  Lawrence  is  to 
be  attacked  on  the  morrow !  "  The  foundation  of  this  present 
rumor  rests  upon  the  conversation  of  a  pro-slavery  resident  near 
Lawrence,  and  a  stranger,  which  was  overheard  by  one  of  our  citi 
zens.  T.  brought  up  quite  a  quantity  of  lead,  and  busied  himself 
a  while  running  bullets. 

We  are  much  amused  by  the  eastern  newspaper  accounts  of  the 
Kansas  war,  especially  the  part  taken  in  it  by  the  ladies.  One 


WINTER  IN  THE  TERRITORY STATE  LEGISLATURE.    IbJJ 

would  suppose,  from  reading  these,  that  all  the  women  had  given 
up  all  the  duties  of  life  usually  assigned  them,  and  armed  with 
rifles  and  revolvers,  with  bravado  and  threats,  were  ready  at  all 
times  to  resent  injuries  by  an  appeal  to  the  former.  Whereas,  with 
the  exception  of  a  dozen  ladies,  more  or  less,  who  have  busied 
themselves  in  making  cartridges,  most  of  us  have  had  sufficient 
employment  in  the  accumulated  duties  of  our  own  households,  in 
preparing  for  an  unwonted  number  of  guests.  Some,  far  removed 
in  the  country,  have  manifested  their  sympathies  by  busily  engag 
ing  in  the  baking  of  bread  for  the  soldiers. 

Lawrence  and  vicinity,  numbering  some  fifteen  hundred  inhabit 
ants,  boasts  many  fair  ladies;  more  who  combine  the  advantages 
of  personal  beauty  with  intellectual  merit,  than  in  any  place 
I  ever  lived.  Our  friends  east  need  have  no  fears  that  in  this 
"  roughing  it,"  not  only  with  the  necessary  inconveniences,  and 
inelegancies,  of  a  new  country,  but  with  the  tyrannous  acts  of  a 
vile  administration's  tools,  that  they  have  lost  any  of  the  instinct 
ive  gentleness  or  modesty  of  woman.  Firmness  and  a  purer  love 
of  justice  have  been  the  gain  of  many.  The  acts  of  one  woman 
here  have  probably  given  rise  to  the  false  impression  which  has 
gone  over  the  country.  Sheriff  Jones  made  the  arrest  of  a  resident 
of  Lawrence,  after  a  previous  unsuccessful  attempt,  Mrs.  B.  threat 
ening  to  shoot  the  sheriff  if  he  attempted  to  arrest  her  husband, 
and  with  pistols  cocked  gave  sufficient  proof  of  her  sincerity  in 
this  determination ;  enough  certainly  to  satisfy  the  sheriff,  who 
was  effectually  cowed,  and,  amid  the  laugh  of  the  by-standers, 
turned  away  muttering,  he  "  had  rather  face  an  army  of  men  than 
one  furious  woman."  During  the  war,  too,  she  had  evinced  her 
boldness  on  several  occasions. 

Statements  of  this  kind  have,  probably,  in  the  minds  of  many, 
given  a  wrong  coloring  to  the  actual  character  of  the  womanly 
element  here ;  when,  on  coming,  they  might  expect  to  meet  a  real 
Amazon,  or  Joan  of  Arc,  they  would  be  disappointed  to  see  still 
uppermost  the  native  refinement,  sensibility,  and  modest  dignity 
of  a  true  woman. 

22d.  —  No  attack  yet  made  upon  us.  In  spite  of  all  the  talk, 
and  all  the  marshalling  of  armed  men  in  the  border  towns,  we 


184  KANSAS. 

awake  each  morning,  with  wonder,  to  say  we  "  still  live."  We 
might,  however,  have  lived  in  greater  security,  had  the  mighty 
genius,  who  made  these  words  memorable  in  his  last  hour,  been 
ever  true  to  the  instincts  of  his  great  nature ;  had  he  in  his 
declining  days  spoken  honest  words  for  freedom,  as  in  his  life's 
morning,  or  in  its  noon  of  splendor.  "  Lawrence  is  "  not  "  in 
ashes,"  and  her  citizens  still  go  unhung,  notwithstanding  the  efforts 
of  government  officials  to  the  contrary. 

The  following  are  the  exact  copies  of  letters  from  Gov.  Shan 
non  to  the  murderer  of  Barber,  Gen.  George  W.  Clarke,  Indian 
Agent,  and  will  show  the  direction  of  his  efforts  : 

"  EXECUTIVE  OFFICE,  ^ 

SHAWNEE  MISSION,  K.  T.,  Jan.  4,  1856.  > 

"  MY  DEAR  Sm  :  Your  two  last  favors  are  received ;  and  I 
regret  exceedingly  to  hear  of  your  unpleasant  situation.  I  hope 
things  will  grow  better.  The  evidence  you  speak  of  must  satisfy 
every  one  that  you  did  not  kill  Barber.  This  difficulty  out  of 
the  way,  I  hope  you  will  hafve  nothing  to  fear.  I  think  that  all 
organizations  to  take  the  law  into  the  hands  of  self-constituted 
judges  or  conservatives  of  the  peace  will  only  lead  to  bad  conse 
quences.  The  other  party  will  do  the  same  by  the  way  of  retal 
iation,  and  no  one  will  know  when  he  is  safe.  I  am  glad  to  learn 
that  you  discourage  all  such  movements. 

"  I  will  leave  in  the  morning  for  Washington  city,  stopping 
some  days  at  home  on  my  way.  I  shall  urge  on  the  President  the 
policy  of  stationing  a  company  of  United  States  troops  in  Le- 
compton,  or  such  other  place  in  that  region  as  you  may  all  think 
best.  I  ^ shall  also  urge  on  him  the  policy  of  quietly  stationing  a 
company  at  Topeka  about  the  middle  of  February  next.  The 
free-state  government,  you  know,  is  to  be  inaugurated  on  the  4th 
of  March,  and  the  Legislature  at  that  time  will  commence  its 
session.  The  President  has  the  power  to  station  the  troops  at  any 
place  he  sees  proper,  and  there  will  be  no  necessity  of  his  saying 
for  what  purpose  he  stations  a  company  at  Topeka.  It  will  be 
looked  upon  by  the  free-state  men  as  a  significant  sign,  and  may 
induce  them  to  pause  in  their  mad  career  of  folly  arid  treason. 


WINTER  IN  THE  TERRITORY  —  STATE  LEGISLATURE.     185 

"  I  would  be  glad  if  you  would  write  to  your  friends  in  Con 
gress,  and  get  them  to  back  me  up  in  what  I  may  seek  to  accom 
plish  for  the  territory.  Moreover,  I  desire  to  see  and  talk  with 
the  leading  men  of  the  South  in  relation  to  matters  in  this  terri 
tory.  I  wish  to  post  them  upon  the  real  state  of  things  out  here, 
and  what  the  South  must  do  the  coming  year,  or  lose  all  dominion 
in  a  few  years  in  the  affairs  of  the  republic. 

"  Write  to  me  frequently  at  Washington  city,  to  the  care  of 
Gen.  Whitfield.  Post  me  at  least  once  or  twice  a  week  as  to  all 
that  is  going  on  out  here.  I  shall  feel  great  solicitude  as  to  the 
state  of  things  in  Kansas  while  I  am  gone. 

"  Yours  with  great  respect, 

"  WILSON  SHANNON. 
"  GEORGE  W.  CLARK,  Esq." 

The  other  brief  epistle  was  filed  "  Gov.  Shannon,  Dec.  3,  1855. 
Advice  to  join  the  army  with  public  funds."  It  is  as  follows  : 

"  EXECUTIVE  OFFICE,  ^ 

SIIAWNEE  MISSION,  K.  T.,  Dec.  8,  1855.  > 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR  :  I  think  you  had  better  join  the  command  of 
Col.  Childs  or  Gen.  Richardson  with  your  money.  It  is  unsafe 
to  remain  at  your  house  with  so  large  an  amount  of  money. 

"  Yours,  etc., 

"  WILSON  SHANNON. 
"  Major  CLARK." 


The  President,  with  the  most  abject  servility  to  the  slave  power, 
has  issued  his  anathemas  against  us.  So  base  a  document  as  his 
special  message  never  before  emanated  from  the  White  House. 
Has  he  read  all  history  aright  to  suppose  such  bondage  as  this 
will  not  break  its  own  chain?  He  talks  of  "  treason."  Treason 
against  what?  Not  the  United  States  surely,  as,  with  earnestness 
stating  our  manifold  and  outrageous  wrongs,  we  ask  to  be  ad 
mitted  into  the  sisterhood  of  states.  Himself  imbecile  as  the 
head  of  the  government,  he  has  bowed  himself  to  the  trappings 
of  office.  Stupid  with  the  lust  of  power,  and  paving  his  way 
16* 


186  KANSAS. 

with  the  blood,  the  tears,  the  woes  of  Kansas,  he  has  answered 
the  question,  "  For  what  will  a  man  sell  his  own  soul  ?  "  South 
ern  votes.  Traitor  to  the  mother  who  bore  him,  to  his  native 
state,  to  his  country,  and  his  God,  when  this  great  and  mighty 
people  shall  arise  from  the  blindness  of  their  unparalleled  pros 
perity,  and  break  the  bands  of  evil  as  tender  withes,  then  shall  he, 
calling  upon  the  mountains  even  of  his  own  state,  find  no  place 
deep  enough,  no  covert  broad  enough,  to  hide  his  shame ;  but  in 
the  annals  of  our  country's  history  will  this  dark  page  be  written, 
and  he,  the  chosen  guardian  of  the  people's  rights,  shall  wear  the 
crowning  infamy.  It  shall  remain  as  a  beacon  light,  as  a  warn 
ing  to  all  seeking  office,  like  the  flaming  sword  guarding  the 
entrance  to  Eden,  that  they  sell  not  their  honor,  their  principles, 
their  very  souls  even.  "  So  fallen,  so  lost!"  the  pitying  heart 
cries. 

This  evening  of  the  22d  of  February  witnesses  a  gathering 
here  in  honor  of  our  first  President,  "  whom  the  nation  delights 
to  honor."  In  strange  contrast  will  his  integrity,  his  uprightness, 
and  his  abiding  hold  upon  the  people's  love,  go  down  to  posterity 
with  the  hollow-hearted  truckling,  the  treachery,  the  imbecility, 
of  the  present  incumbent  of  the  presidential  chair.  The  truth  is 
again  clearly  maintained  that  justice  sways  the  world. 

Co.  A.  gave  the  party  to-night,  and  many  were  there  to  partake 
of  their  hospitality,  notwithstanding  the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 
Co.  A.  are  our  strong  defenders.  At  a  moment's  warning  they 
are  ready  for  any  perils  which  endanger  us.  Much  praise  is  due 
them  for  their  unwavering  courage  and  steadfast  zeal  when  the 
rays  of  hope  in  other  quarters  have  been  few  and  flickering.  They 
have  taken  to  themselves  the  name  of  "  Stubs,"  not  particularly 
euphonious,  but  suggestive  of  their  stature.  A  song  has  also 
been  prepared  by  some  of  them,  which  they  sang  to-night,  giving 
zest  to  the  other  amusements  of  the  evening.  It  is  in  ballad 
style,  sung  as  a  solo  by  one  fine  voice,  while  all  join  in  the  chorus. 

24th.  —  How  genial  the  air  is  to-day  !  The  icy  bands  upon 
the  river  have  fairly  given  way,  and  the  fast  dissolving  snows  say 
loudly  that  spring  is  here.  The  golden  haze  of  last  evening, 
through  which  the  setting  sunbeams  lingered  and  floated,  spread- 


WINTER  IN  THE  TERRITORY  —  STATE  LEGISLATURE.    187 

ing  a  halo  of  singular  loveliness  over  this  unrivalled  landscape, 
gave  a  promise  of  warmer  days.  "  The  days  of  the  singing-birds 
have  come."  With  the  life-giving  days  of  spring,  how  could  we 
hope  for  peace  and  tranquillity  !  Yet  there  is  no  just  ground  for 
such  hope.  Companies  of  mounted  riflemen  have  been  forming 
along  the  border ;  and  a  late  "  Independence  Despatch  "  states 
that  the  militia  of  the  border  counties  in  Missouri  are  to  rendez 
vous  at  Fort  Scott,  in  this  territory,  on  the  29th  of  February. 
Atchison  also,  a  few  days  since,  in  his  speech  at  Platte  city, 
called  upon  his  friends  to  "  hold  themselves  in  readiness  against 
the  4th  of  March,"  as  then  there  would  be  a  new  invasion  of  the 
territory."  The  "  six  weeks,"  which  Jones  pledged  upon  his 
honor  should  be  free  from  invasion,  are  nearly  over.  A  gentle 
man  of  Easton  has  received  a  threatening  letter  from  his  pro- 
slavery  neighbors,  warning  him  to  leave.  Everything  looks 
threatening. 

March  4tk.  —  The  doctor,  with  many  more  from  Lawrence,  left 
for  Topeka  yesterday,  as  the  Legislature  meets  to-day.  Lawrence 
is  really  deserted.  Judge  Elmore  has,  in  conversation  with  the 
leaders  of  the  free-state  party,  expressed  strong  desires  that  the 
members  should  not  take  the  oath  of  office,  as  such  an  act  would 
be  considered  treasonable,  and  they  would  be  immediately  ar 
rested.  Letters  written  from  Washington  also  say  that  it  is  the 
design  of  the  President  to  carry  this  matter  thus  far.  By  failing 
to  take  the  oath  of  office,  the  present  free-state  constitution  would 
be  of  no  account.  A  gentleman  has  just  been  in,  who  reports  a 
member  of  the  Legislature  arrived  an  hour  since  from  Washing 
ton.  He  says  the  United  States  Marshal  is  on  his  way  to  Topeka, 
to  arrest  all  who  take  the  oath  of  office.  He  wishes  to  be  ar 
rested  with  the  others,  and  will  leave  for  Topeka  this  evening. 

A  strange  farce  this,  of  arresting  freemen  for  no  sin  but  a 
desire  to  maintain  their  rights  as  freemen,  and  for  doing  what 
California  and  Michigan  have  done  before  us.  No  iron  rule 
bound  them  down  like  the  hateful  tyranny  crushing  Kansas. 

Were  it  not  for  these  continual  attempts  on  the  part  of  govern 
ment  to  oppress  us,  Kansas  would  be  peopled  with  a  rapidity 
unprecedented  in  the  settlement  of  any  state.  Her  genial  climate 


188  KANSAS. 

and  rich  soil  offers  attractions,  while  the  class  of  people  emigrat 
ing  here  afford  the  inducements  of  society,  as  intelligent  and 
refined  as  any  in  the  states. 

Four  religious  societies  have  already  been  formed  in  Lawrence, 
and  churches  will  this  summer  be  erected.  With  the  reviving  of 
business  this  spring,  a  circulating  library  has  been  opened,  where 
its  members  can  find  standard  works,  new  books  and  publications, 
as  soon  as  issued.  There  is  also  a  bookstore,  where  the  busy 
reader  can  suit  his  taste.  The  parish  library  connected  with  the 
Unitarian  Church  is  large  and  valuable,  and,  when  the  room  is 
ready  for  its  reception,  will  form  a  valuable  acquisition.  With 
othei  settlements  there  have  been  similar  organizations,  and  means 
for  improvement. 

Beside  Lawrence  there  are  six  other  settlements,  mostly  eastern. 
Osawattomie,  at  the  junction  of  the  Potawattomie  and  Meradizine, 
which  at  that  point  takes  the  name  of  the  Osage,  is  most  pleas 
antly  located.  It  derives  its  name  from  a  fanciful  clipping  and 
mingling  together  of  the  words,  Potawattomie  and  Osage.  A 
pleasing  variety  of  prairie  and  woodland  marks  the  spot.  Though 
the  first  settlement  was  made  only  a  year  since,  with  its  large  mill 
and  enterprising  people  it  bids  fair  to  be  a  prominent  point  in 
the  territory. 

Hampden  is  still  further  south,  and,  notwithstanding  the  sick 
ness  which  came  so  severely  among  them  last  year,  its  surpassing- 
richness  of  soil  and  heavy  tember,  as  well  as  its  central  position 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  territory,  will  induce  many  to  locate  in 
the  region. 

Topeka,  the  third  town  in  size,  is  situated  twenty-five  miles 
above  Lawrence,  on  the  Kansas.  The  principal  part  of  the  town 
is  about  a  fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  river,  on  the  high  prairie, 
which  slopes  gently  to  the  shore.  Webster  Peak  rises  some  four 
miles  in  the  distance  south,  while  the  lands  of  the  Potawattomie 
are  but  five  miles  away.  The  first  settlement  was  made  in  Decem 
ber  of  1854,  by  some  members  of  the  fifth  party.  When  the  spring 
opened  emigration  poured  in  there.  Constitution  Hall,  a  large 
hotel,  several  stores,  and  dwelling-houses  of  wood,  brick  and  stone, 


WINTER  IN  THE  TERRITORY — STATE  LEGISLATURE.    189 

show  clearly  their  Yankee  origin,  and  that  in  coming  to  the  West 
they  had  not  forgotten  thrift  and  enterprise. 

Wabousa  is  forty  miles  above  Topeka,  also  on  the  Kansas  river, 
while  Mill  Creek  flows  into  it  at  this  point.  This  location,  which 
has  many  admirers,  both  for  its  surroundings  of  hill  and  plain, 
and  richness  of  soil,  was  selected  as  a  town  site  in  the  fall  of 
1854,  by  the  fourth  party,  which  came  from  New  England.  (The 
New  Haven  Company  have  since  located  there.) 

Manhattan,  at  the  junction  of  the  Big  Blue  and  Kansas,  is 
seventy-five  miles  west  of  Lawrence,  and  eighteen  from  Fort  Riley. 
It  was  also  decided  upon  as  a  good  location  for  a  town  by  a 
portion  of  the  fourth  New  England  party. 

Their  numbers  were  strengthened  in  the  spring  of  1855  by  the 
company  from  Providence,  and  afterwards  by  a  company  from 
Cincinnati,  called  the  Manhattan  Company.  It  has  a  very  fine  loca 
tion  upon  the  high  prairie,  with  a  bold  prominence  of  singular  beauty 
near  by,  upon  whose  sides  dwarf  cedars  grow.  Finely  rolling 
prairies  extend  back  of  the  town  about  four  miles,  where  high 
bluffs  surround  all  like  a  strong  fortress.  Being  near  the  fort, 
and  in  the  midst  of  a  rich  farming  country,  the  productiveness 
of  the  soil  for  years  must  repay  in  large  measure  all  labor  be 
stowed  upon  it.  A  friend,  who  located  not  many  miles  from  Man 
hattan  in  the  spring,  and  cultivated  a  few  acres,  in  the  fall  found 
himself  the  possessor  of  one  thousand  dollars  more  than  when  he 
came.  He  sold  at  the  fort  whatever  he  raised,  at  large  prices. 
As  all  supplies  for  the  fort  at  present  are  brought  from  Missouri, 
near  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  it  must  furnish  a  market  for  the 
fruits  of  the  earth,  could  they  be  raised  near  by. 

Council  city,  about  forty  miles  south-west  of  Lawrence,  and  a 
few  miles  from  the  Sante  Fe  road,  under  the  auspices  of  the  New 
York  Settlement  Co.,  is  situated  upon  the  head  waters  of  the 
Osage.  A  pleasant  population  are  gathered  there  upon  the  half- 
mile  claims.  A  lady  of  intelligence,  residing  there  a  few  months, 
told  me  she  had  become  very  much  attached  to  the  people,  and  on 
no  account  would  return  to  her  old  home,  near  New  York  city. 
Mills  are  being  erected,  and  when  they  are  in  operation,  as  at  the 
other  settlements,  nothing  but  quiet  is  needed  for  it  and  them  to 


190 


KANSAS. 


increase  in  population,  in  intelligence  and  wealth.  Let  Peace 
spread  her  broad  wings  over  us,  and  no  one  can  estimate  the 
human  tide  sweeping  westward  which  will  be  turned  into  these 
channels. 

IQth.  —  The  following  are  the  names  of  state  officers  and 
members  of  Senate  and  House,  elected  under  the  State  Con 
stitution  :  — 

P.  C.  Schuyler,  Secretary. 

G.  A.  Cutter,  Auditor. 

E.  M.  Thurston,  Eep.  of  Sp.  Ct. 

S.  B.  Floyd,  Clerk  "     « 

J.  Speer,  State  Printer. 


C.  Robinson,  Gov. 

W.  Y.  Roberts,  Lt.  Gov. 

S.  N.  Latta,      j 

XT  ™  n  (  Supreme 

N.F.Conway,       ^ 

M.  Hunt,          \ 


J.  A.  Wakefield.  Treasurer. 


Adams, 

J.  M.  Cole, 
J.  Curtis, 
J.  Daily, 

Dunn, 

L.  Fish, 
P.  Fuller, 

S.  N.  Hartwell, 
J.  B.  Abbott, 
John  Hutchinson, 
II.  F.  Saunders, 
James  Blood, 
C.  Hornsby, 
K  B.  Purdam, 
J.  McGee, 
M.  C.  Dickey, 
W.  R.  Frost, 
W.  A.  Simmerwell, 
S.  McWhinney, 
S.  T.  Shores, 
S.  R.  Baldwin, 


Members  of  Senate. 

J.  C.  Green, 
B.  Harding, 
G.  S.  Hillyer, 
H.  M.  Hook, 
J.  M.  Irvin, 
D.  E.  Jones, 


S.  B.  McKenzie, 
B.  W.  Miller, 
J.  II.  Pillsbury, 
G.  R.  Rhaum, 
T.  G.  Thornton, 
W.  W.  Updegraff. 


Representatives. 

David  Rees, 
D.  W.  Cannon, 
Isaac  Landers, 
J.  M.  Arthur, 
Thos.  Bo  wen, 
H.  B.  Standiford, 
H.  H.  Williams, 
J.  Brown,  Jr., 
Isaac  B.  Higgins, 
H.  W.  Tabor, 
Henry  Todd, 
T.  J.  Addis, 
A.  B.  Marshal, 
J.  Hornby, 


D.  Toothman, 
J.  D.  Adams, 
Abraham  Barre, 
Win.  McClure, 
T.  W.  Platt, 
Richard  Murphy, 
J.  B.  Wet-son, 
Rees  Furby, 
Wm.  Hicks, 
Wm.  B.  Wade 
B.  H.  Brock, 
B.  R.  Martin, 
A.  Jameson, 
John  Landis, 


WINTER    IN   THE    TERRITORY  —  STATE   LEGISLATURE.    191 

Wm.  Bayliss,  W.  T.  Burnett,  R.  P.  Brown, 

A.  D.  Jones,  J.  K.  Edsaul,  F.  A.  Minard, 

E.  R.  Zimmerman,  S.  Sparks,  G.  Goslin, 

J.  W.  Stevens,  L.  P.  Patty,  A.  Fisher, 

Wm.  Crosby,  S.  J.  Campbell,  Isaac  Cady. 

The  election  for  these  offices  was  holden  on  the  15th  January ; 
on  the  same  day  M.  W.  Delahay  was  chosen  representative  to 
Congress. 

The  Legislature  was  organized  on  the  4th,  and  the  state  officers 
took  the  oath  of  office.  Everything  was  quiet  at  Topeka.  No 
attempts  were  made  to  arrest  any  one,  although  Sheriff  Jones  and 
a  deputy  marshal  were  there  to  witness  the  inaugural  ceremonies 
of  the  new  state  government.  With  the  exception  of  the  fears 
of  one  of  the  members,  harshly  wrought  upon  by  some  lovers  of 
mischief,  there  was  nothing  exciting.  Yesterday,  a  friend  arrived 
from  the  East.  He  came  up  from  Kansas  city  in  company  with 
some  of  the  office-holders  under  government.  They  were  partic 
ularly  anxious  that  the  free-state  government  should  not  be 
organized.  He  also  came  up  just  in  the  wake  of  Gov.  Shannon.  He 
is,  according  to  his  report,  highly  spoken  of  by  all  the  bar-tenders 
and  others  on  the  way,  and  had  a  grand  reception  at  Lexington  — 
which  signifies,  without  any  adornings  of  word  or  sentiment,  "  one 
big  drunk." 

Rumors  came  in  to-night  that  a  box  of  Sharpe's  rifles,  con 
signed  to  the  territory,  have  been  taken  off  the  boat  at  Lexington 
and  placed  in  the  warehouse  to  await  Governor  Shannon's  orders. 
Rumors  fly  as  fast  as  autumn  leaves,  and  we  scarcely  know  wh;;t 
to  believe.  If,  however,  they  have  taken  them,  they  will  be  useless 
to  them  as  the  slides  are  understood  to  be  in  another  place,  and  it 
will  puzzle  them  quite  as  much  to  use  a  rifle  open  at  both  ends  as 
it  did  the  one  they  threw  away  in  December  as  useless,  because 
there  was  no  ramrod. 

31s£.  —  The  last  of  March,  and  still  all  quiet.  The  grass  is 
growing  everywhere,  and  the  tiny  flower-bells  sway  gently  in  every 
breeze.  In  many  places  they  spring  up  without  leaves,  and  in  the 
dusty  roads. 


192  KANSAS. 

Doctor  left  on  the  24th  for  Washington,  at  noon,  not  thinking 
of  going  only  an  hour  or  two  before.  The  26th  witnessed  the 
laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Unitarian  church  with  impres 
sive  exercises.  Ministers  of  different  denominations  took  part  in 
the  service.  Many  people,  of  various  beliefs,  were  there,  as  the 
first  church  was  planted  in  the  wilderness,  and  a  common  interest 
was  pervading  all  classes.  Beneath  the  corner-stone  were  laid 
copies  of  several  papers  in  the  territory,  a  sketch  of  Lawrence, 
and  other  articles  of  interest. 

Gov.  Shannon  has  returned  to  Lecompton,  and  Mr.  Hoyt,  in 
whose  charge  were  the  rifles,  has  waited  on  him  in  reference  to 
their  being  restored.  The  poor  governor  is  in  a  dilemma,  neither 
horn  of  which  he  thinks  quite  safe.  Shall  he  please  border  ruf 
fians,  or  restore  property  to  its  rightful  owners  ?  Fear  weighs 
down  the  scale  on  the  border  ruffian  side,  and  the  sage  decision  is, 
the  guns  must  remain  in  Lexington. 

The  little  boy,  who  had  so  much  water  to  carry,  errands  to  do, 
and  so  many  times  has  come  into  the  house  nearly  frozen,  is  dead. 
He  was  delirious  a  few  hours  and  died.  Startling  as  the  intelli 
gence  was  to  us,  in  the  dreary  shadows  of  twilight,  not  having 
heard  of  his  illness,  and  only  three  evenings  since  he  had  made  us 
a  longer  call  than  usual,  there  was  mingled  a  sense  of  relief. 
There  was  a  broken-spiritedness  about  the  boy  which  was  difficult 
to  account  for  and  is  not  natural  to  childhood. 

Many  houses  are  going  up,  and,  every  time  we  drive  down,  some 
new  building  or  fence  closes  up  the  old  travelled  road.  Men  are 
digging  at  the  quarries  above  us,  and  teams  continually  going  up 
and  down  both  sides  of  the  house  for  buildings  in  town,  and  for 
the  church  half  down  the  hill.  We  had  recently  had  a  house 
moved  quarter  of  a  mile  to  join  our  premises.  It  will  be  most 
conducive  to  our  comfort,  and  that  of  our  frequent  lodgers. 

Our  house  is  at  last  completed,  amid  all  the  confusion  of  lath 
ers,  plasterers,  paperers,  and  varnishers,  with  company  all  of  the 
time,  spending  the  day,  the  week,  or  longer.  When  the  noise  has 
been  too  unendurable,  the  horses  and  carriage  have  been  put  in 
requisition,  and  a  ride  over  the  beautiful  prairies  been  enjoyed  by 
our  guests. 


WINTER   IN  THE   TERRITORY— STATE   LEGISLATURE.    193 

The  house  is  entirely  of  black  walnut ;  the  finish,  doors,  win 
dow-casings,  and  mantels,  of  the  same,  all  nicely  polished.  The 
paper  of  white  satin,  with  a  neat  flower,  in  one  room,  while  pretty 
wood-colors,  in  rosebuds  and  leaves,  cover  other  walls,  and  give  the 
whole  a  pleasing  contrast.  The  furniture  is  mostly  of  the  same 
wood,  in  pretty  styles,  while  library,  seraphine,  pictures,  which  I 
prize  both  for  their  beauty  and  my  long  vested  rights  in  them,  with 
many  other  treasures  of  my  girlhood,  make  this  new  home  seem 
indeed  like  the  old  one,  though  so  far  transplanted.  I  would  ex 
change  its  simplicity  for  no  place  where  art  and  splendor  have  sway, 
while  possessor  of  such  living  beauty  as  spreads  itself  around  us. 

In  my  drives  of  the  last  few  weeks  circumstances  have  brought 
me  in  contact  with  people  of  various  mould,  and  I  have  been  a 
learner  of  life  by  contrasts.  The  illness  of  a  lady  called  me  to 
the  low  door  of  her  dwelling.  It  was  built  against  a  rock  in  a 
side  hill,  that  forming  one  side.  Logs  and  thatch  completed  the 
remaining  sides  and  roof.  The  inside  had  the  same  rough  aspect. 
Rude  tables,  of  home-made  manufacture,  and  three-legged  stools, 
with  one  rocking-chair,  completed  the  furniture.  Several  little 
children,  neatly  though  poorly  dressed,  clung  around  the  sad- 
looking  mother,  upon  whose  brow  care  had  furrowed  deep  lines ; 
but  whose  manner  and  appearance  betokened  better  days  than 
these  in  the  past.  Although  ill,  she  was  performing  some  domes 
tic  drudgery.  She  had  friends  east  who  would  feel  sadly  did  they 
know  the  circumstances  which  surrounded  her  here.  The  trials 
of  the  Kansas  home  had  been  many,  yet  she  was  still  hopeful. 
Assuring  her  that  anything  we  could  do  for  her  comfort  should  be 
gladly  done,  and  thinking  what  a  sad,  thorny  way  the  life-path 
is  to  many,  we  bade  her  "  good-by." 

•Another  day  our  fleet  horses  took  our  guests  and  us  to  see  a 
person  whose  acquaintance  was  formed  on  the  river,  who  was  now 
boarding  about  six  miles  from  Lawrence.  The  carriage  halted  in 
front  of  a  large  cabin,  or  two  cabins  rather,  the  space  which  is 
usually  left  open  between  them  being  made  into  a  broad  hall.  Or. 
said,  "This  is  Judge  W.'s."  The  lady  whom  we  came  to  see 
opened  the  door  before  we  reached  it,  being  glad  to  see  a  familiar 
face.  She  was  very  pretty  and  intelligent,  and  the  mother's  heart 
17 


KANSAS. 


could  be  seen  in  the  soul-full  eye  as  she  caressed  the  little  boy 
of  a  twelvemonth.      Their  home  had  been  Wisconsin,  while  her 
husband  was'from  the  aristocratic  old  state  of  Virginia,  and  , 
gentlemanly,  dignified  bearing. 

This  house  is  a  home  for  travellers,  and  its  capacious  rooms 
were  now  full.  Young  mothers  with  their  little  children  sat  by 
the  fire,  and  looked  weary  with  their  travels.  Supper,  too,  was 
bein*  prepared  for  the  old  judge,  who  came  in  from  Lawrence, 
and  with  cheerful  words,  always  so  full  of  humor,  greeted  us  as  he 
distributed  the  letters  he  had  brought  from  there.  The  beds  were 
partitioned  from  this  common  sitting-room  by  long  curtains.  Bas 
kets  were  hanging  on  poles  over  our  heads,  and  bags  of  most  ca 
pacious  size  were  suspended  from  the  walls,  while  meat  and  other 
articles  for  cooking  found  a  place  in  the  room.  Judge  W.  is  from 
Iowa,  and  has  been,  since  his  first  coming  here,  one  of  the  standard- 
bearers  in  freedom's  army. 

As  we  were  returning,  we  met  a  very  youthful  lady  and  her 
husband,  who  have  had  some  of  the  romance  of  life,  and  who  are 
testing  the  sweets  of  not  exactly  love  in  a  cottage,  but  love  in  a 
log-cabin,  on  the  wide  prairies.  The  lady  was  from  a  wealthy 
family  in  Cincinnati.  Her  friends  opposed  her  in  the  choice  of  a 
husband,  and  while  from  home,  at  boarding-school,  the  marriage 
ceremony  was  performed,  the  young  husband  leaving  the  same  day 
for  Kansas.  Some  months  after,  when  she  had  made  known  to 
her  friends  that  she  was  already  married,  she  also  came. 

A  gentleman  from  Wisconsin  was  here  in  the  early  part  of  the 
month.  He  came  to  examine  the  country,  its  inducements  to  set 
tlers,  with  reference  to  the  sending  out  of  a  large  company  from 
Wisconsin.  As  he  wished  to  meet  the  people  of  Lawrence,  a 
reception  had  been  proposed.  The  last  afternoon  of  his  visit  had 
arrived,  and  the  gentlemen  in  whose  hands  the  arrangements 
had  been  left,  declared  themselves  unable  to  accomplish  anything 
on  so  short  notice.  Two  of  our  ladies  then  took  the  matter  in 
charge,  and  the  evening  found  some  one  hundred  persons  assembled 
in  a  large  hall,  with  refreshments  of  cake,  nuts,  fruit,  and  lemon 
ade,  provided. 

A  few  days  after,  the  New  Haven  company  arrived.      They 


WINTER  IN  THE  TERRITORY  —  STATE  LEGISLATURE.    195 

must  have  a  welcome  and  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  extended 
to  them  by  our  people.  The  hall  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity, 
and  as  our  people  briefly  recounted  the  history  of  their  stay  here, 
their  dangers  and  perils,  they  offered  to  the  newly-arrived  people 
the  blessings  of  the  civilization  which  a  year  and  a  half  has 
wrought ;  while  they  offer,  with  the  shield  of  an  unwasted  hope, 
and  the  buckler  of  unwearied  energies,  to  stand  by  us  in  hours 
when  evil  shall  threaten  our  liberties.  Pleasantly  thus  the  hours 
passed  away,  and  the  "  Stubs  "  were  loudly  called  for  to  close  the 
assembly  with  their  song. 


CHAPTER    XIY. 

COMMITTEE    OF    INVESTIGATION —  "SHERIFF    JONES  " 
SHOT. 

THE  second  month  of  spring  was  quickly  passing  away,  and 
quiet  reigned  —  a  quiet  which  seemed  almost  fearful  from  the 
very  stillness.  Since  the  threats  of  arrest  in  the  early  part  of 
March,  the  voice  of  Missouri  had  been  mostly  silent.  Save  the 
oaths  and  imprecations  which  still  fall  on  the  ear,  on  passing 
her  citizens,  and  an  occasional  opening  of  boxes  designed  for  the 
territory,  at  Kansas  city,  there  has  been  no  outrage,  and  the 
press  is  silent  as  to  her  plans.  Notwithstanding  the  persevering 
efforts  of  Douglas,  the  champion  of  the  slave  power,  and  the  no 
less  zealous  exertions  of  Missouri's  representatives,  who  hesitated 
not  to  utter  untruths,  declaring  that  no  one  came  from  Missouri 
to  vote,  —  one  of  them,  at  least,  being  present  at  the  election,  —  a 
committee  has  been  appointed  to  investigate  the  wrongs  of  which 
Kansas  has  complained  to  Congress.  We,  as  well  as  our  eastern 
friends,  anticipated  that  quiet  would  continue  while  the  investi 
gation  was  entered  into ;  that,  from  motives  of  policy  alone,  the 
enemy  would  hide  in  their  lair,  and  attempt  to  gain  the  favor  of 
the  committee  by  a  present  show  of  fairness.  Emigration  was 
again  pouring  into  the  territory ;  a  company  of  one  hundred,  from 
Ohio,  had  just  arrived,  while  the  camp-fires  at  evening,  and  the 
white-covered  wagons  of  the  western  emigrant,  dotting  the  high 
ways,  told  of  a  general  desire  to  make  one's  self  a  home  in  Kan 
sas. 

About  the  17th  of  April  the  commissioners  arrived.     The  hotel, 
which  we  had  long  waited  for,  was  nearly  finished,  and  rooms  for 


COMMITTEE   OF   INVESTIGATION,  ETC.  197 

their  accommodation  were  put  in  order  by  our  people,  before  the 
proprietor  of  the  hotel  could  get  his  furniture  up  from  Kansas 
city.  The  commissioners  went  to  Lecompton,  and  spent  two  or 
three  days  in  copying  the  records  of  the  elections  from  official 
books  kept  there. 

On  the  19th,  Sheriff  Jones,  who  has  from  the  first  seemed  to 
be  the  apple  of  discord  among  us,  his  presence  at  once  making 
tumult  of  quiet,  again  appeared  in  our  midst,  and  attempted  to 
arrest   S.  N.  Wood,  just   returned   from   Ohio,  after  a  winter's 
sojourn.     He  said  to  Wood,  "  You  are  my  prisoner." 
"  By  what  authority?"  was  the  very  natural  reply. 
"  As  Sheriff  of  Douglas  County." 

"  I  do  not  recognize  such  authority,"  said  Wood,  adding,  how 
ever,  that  he  would  go  with  him  if  he  would  allow  him  to  go  to 
his  house,  only  a  few  steps  distant,  first. 

This  the  sheriff  refused,  and  Wood  declared,  "  Then  I  '11  not  go 
with  you  at  all ! "  and  very  coolly  walked  away. 

Jones  walked  away  also,  minus  a  pistol,  which  had  passed  from 
his  pocket.  The  whole  affair  only  lasted  two  or  three  minutes. 

The  next  day  Jones  came  in  town  again  to  disturb  the  Sabbath's 
quiet,  and  arrest  somebody.  He  was  accompanied  by  four  men 
from  Lecompton,  and  he  called  upon  a  number  of  our  citizens 
standing  by  to  act  as  a  posse,  in  assisting  in  the  arrest  of  Wood. 
These  citizens  were  looking  on,  simply,  and  it  was  an  established 
fact,  whenever  Jones  was  seen  in  the  streets  of  Lawrence,  that 
something  rich  would  happen,  and,  involuntarily,  almost,  they 
gathered  around  to  see. 

Jones  looked  for  Wood  in  his  house;  but  he  was  not  there. 
Seeing  T.,  another  of  the  Branson  rescuers  standing  by,  and  who 
had  made  the  attempt  to  carry  his  own  case  to  the  Supreme  Court, 
but  had  never  been  able  to  get  a  hearing  at  Lecompton,  Jones 
pounced  upon  him.  He  took  hold  of  him  so  fiercely,  T.  thought 
it  was  his  intention  to  knock  him  down;  so,  forgetting  his  non- 
resistance,  he  struck  Jones,  whereupon  the  bold  sheriff,  with  his 
comrades,  left  for  Lecompton,  muttering,  however,  "he  would 
bring  in  the  troops,  and  the  arrests  should  be  made.  He  had  now 
17* 


198  KANSAS. 

some  forty  names  on  his  paper,  against  whom  warrants  should  be 
served." 

The  following  letter,  written  by  Jones  to  Marshal  Donaldson, 
shows  that  the  attempt  to  arrest  Wood  was  made  without  a 
shadow  even  of  territorial  law : 

"  LECOMPTON,  April  20,  1856. 

"MAJOR  I.  B.  DONALDSON,  —  My  dear  Sir:  Samuel  N.  Wood 
is  now  in  Lawrence,  and  I  wish  you  to  send  me  the  writ  against 
him.  I  arrested  him  on  yesterday,  and  he  was  rescued  from  my 
hands  by  a  mob.  The  governor  has  called  upon  Col.  Sumner  for 
a  company  to  assist  me  in  the  execution  of  the  laws.  I  will  have 
writs  gotten  out  against  Robinson,  and  some  twenty  others. 

"  In  haste,  Yr  obs. 

"  S.  J.  JONES." 

* 

The  committee  of  investigation  finished  their  work  at  Lecomp- 
ton  on  Tuesday,  the  22d,  and  returned  to  Lawrence  the  afternoon 
of  that  day.  This  first  effort  of  theirs,  showing  clearly  that  the 
work  of  investigation  would  be  carried  on  systematically,  struck 
terror  into  the  heart  of  the  wrong-doers.  That  all  their  labors 
hitherto  might  not  be  foiled  at  one  blow,  they  felt  that  a  desperate 
effort  must  be  made  to  break  up  the  sittings  of  the  committee,  and 
the  plan  unfolded  itself. 

Also,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  22d,  word  carne  into  Lawrence 
that  a  band  of  men  were  encamped  in  the  timber  across  the  river. 
Two  messengers  immediately  went  out  from  Lawrence  to  see  if 
there  was  truth  in  the  statement,  and  returned,  not  only  to  verify 
it,  but  the  bloody  character  of  the  gang.  One  of  our  messen 
gers  was  fired  upon,  and  only  escaped  falling  into  their  hands  by 
quickly  plunging  into  a  ravine  until  they,  in  their  search,  had 
passed  by.  They  were  men  from  Lecompton  and  vicinity,  and 
were  stationed  there  to  intercept  any  persons  who  should  attempt 
to  escape  from  the  bogus  sheriff. 

On  Wednesday,  23d,  the  committee  commenced  examining  wit 
nesses  in  reference  to  the  invasions.  Dr.  Stringfellow,  Capt. 
Martin,  of  the  Kickapoo  Rangers,  and  others  of  like  character, 


COMMITTEE    OF   INVESTIGATION,    ETC.  199 

were  in  town.  Some  twelve  came  with  Gen.  Whitfield.  In  the 
afternoon  of  the  23d,  the  redoubtable  sheriff,  with  authority  vested 
in  ten  soldiers,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Mclntosh,  following, 
again  came  into  Lawrence.  Without  the  least  resistance  on  the 
part  of  any,  six  men,  not  implicated  in  the  rescue  of  Branson,  but 
having  arrested  no  one  to  place  in  Mr.  Jones'  custody,  were  taken 
prisoners.  They  were  lodged  in  a  small  building  on  the  street, 
under  the  guard  of  the  dragoons,  and  the  sheriff  occupied  the  tent 
of  the  officers,  instead  of  going  to  the  Cincinnati  House,  as  usual. 

In  the  evening  the  choir  met  at  our  house  for  a  rehearsal.  At 
about  nine  and  a  half  o'clock  T.  came  in.  As  the  rest  were  sing 
ing,  and  scarcely  noticed  his  coming  in,  I  said  to  him,  "  Why, 
where  did  you  come  from  ?  I  thought  you  were  in  a  safer  place 
than  Lawrence  for  rescuers." 

He  replied,  "  I  have  been  out  of  town  to-day ;  but  I  thought  I 
would  come  over  the  hills  to-night,  and  write  a  letter." 

So,  quickly  getting  him  stationery  and  a  light,  he  went  out  into 
another  room  to  write.  There  was  laughing  and  jesting  among 
the  singers,  as  they  left  soon  after ;  a  doubt  arising  whether  they 
would  all  get  to  their  homes  safely,  they  having  been  on  the  street 
the  day  of  the  attempted  arrest,  and,  as  Jones  had  forty  names, 
there  was  little  reason  to  hope  theirs  were  not  in  the  list. 

Doctor  carried  two  ladies  to  their  homes,  each  two  miles  from 
ours,  and  a  mile  apart.  Just  after  they  had  gone,  two  gentlemen 
came  from  town.  One  was  a  stranger  to  me,  and  the  other  was 
W.  He  too  had  been  from  town  during  the  day,  and  had  gone 
home  for  a  night's  rest,  when  he  was  aroused  by  the  other  gentle 
man.  They  said  "  Good-evening,"  and  walked  in.  W.,  espying 
T.,  who  had  finished  his  letter,  and  was  about  leaving  for  a  safer 
residence  than  ours,  said,  "  Well,  T.,  our  best  friend  is  shot." 

"  Who  ?  "  was  the  question  asked  simultaneously  by  several 
voices ;  and  W.'s  reply,  in  the  same  solemn  manner,  "  Sheriff 
Jones,"  startled  us.  Not  because  for  him  we  had  any  esteem,  any 
respect ;  but  who  was  there  in  Lawrence  that  would  take  a  broth 
er's  blood  ?  Unlike  the  Mlssourians,  who  shot  down  inoffensive 
people  with  no  more  compunctions  than  they  would  a  wild  part- 


200  KANSAS. 

ridge,  they  feel  there  is  a  sacredness  in  human  life,  and  would  not 
rashly  assume  the  power  of  the  avenger. 

The  silence  which  momentarily  followed  was  broken  by  the 
question,  "  Will  he  die  ?  " 

"  They  say  he  cannot  recover." 

The  gentleman  waited  until  the  doctor  returned,  and  then  went 
back  to  town.  He  at  once  recognized  in  it  a  plan  to  involve  our 
people  in  difficulty.  It  was  either  to  be  made  the  occasion  of  a 
new  invasion,  or  at  least  to  break  up  the  sittings  of  the  committee. 

Jones,  while  sitting  in  the  tent,  the  outline  of  his  figure  being 
clearly  revealed  by  the  light  inside,  was  shot  in  the  back.  He  fell 
to  the  ground,  saying,  "  I  am  shot !  "  Some  little  time  passed 
away  before  any  physician  saw  him.  At  length  Dr.  Stringfellow 
was  sent  fur,  and  the  sheriff  was  removed  to  the  hotel,  into  one  of 
the  rooms  so  lately  fitted  up,  at  the  door  of  which  a  soldier  stood 
on  guard.  Some  physicians  of  Lawrence  examined  him  that  night 
and  in  the  morning.  The  wound  was  between  the  right  shoulder 
and  spine.  Though  constantly  groaning,  Jones  was  able  to  turn 
himself  in  bed.  Notwithstanding  Gen.  Whitfield's  express  to 
Missouri  the  next  morning,  with  the  intelligence  that  Jones  was  in 
a  dying  condition,  he  was  removed  to  Franklin  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  same  day,  accompanied  by  Gen.  Whitfield  and  the  friends  who 
came  with  him,  with  an  escort  of  dragoons.  Gen.  Whitficld  de 
clared  it  was  not  safe  to  remain  in  Lawrence ;  their  lives  were  in 
peril  ;  and  he  attempted  to  persuade  the  commissioners  also  to 
remove,  upon  the  plea  that  Lawrence  was  an  unsafe  place  to  hold 
their  sessions  ;  that  his  witnesses  could  not  come  into  town  with 
out  risk  of  losing  their  lives.  He  did  not  hesitate  to  say,  "  The 
commission  was  at  an  end  ;  they  might  as  well  return  to  Wash 
ington."  The  brave  general  stopped  a  few  days  at  Franklin,  then 
went  to  Lecompton,  and  finally  returned  to  take  his  seat  before  the 
committee,  positively  asserting  that  "  he  did  not  leave  Lawrence 
through  fear." 

Early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day  Jones  was  shot,  a  party  of 
troops,  who  had  been  out  in  the  Indian  country,  passed  through 
town,  and,  having  crossed  the  river,  camped  on  the  other  shore. 
After  the  shooting,  Lieut.  Mclntosh  sent  an  express  for  them  to 


COMMITTEE    OF   INVESTIGATION,   ETC.  201 

return  to  Lawrence,  which  they  did  that  night  or  the  next  morn 
ing. 

The  morning  after  the  attack,  our  citizens  called  a  meeting  to 
take  steps  in  regard  to  it.  Speeches  were  made  in  reference  to 
the  whole  matter,  and  the  following  resolutions,  expressive  of  the 
sense  of  the  meeting,  were  passed  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  attempt  made  in  our  town,  last  evening, 
upon  the  life  of  S.  J.  Jones,  Esq.,  while  claiming  to  act  as  the 
sheriff  of  the  county,  was  the  isolated  act  of  some  malicious  and 
evil-disposed  individual,  unexpected  and  unlocked  for.  by  our  com 
munity,  and  unsustained  by  any  portion  of  them. 

"  Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  community,  it  was  a 
cowardly  and  atrocious  outrage  upon  Mr.  Jones,  and  an  insult  and 
injury  to  the  public  sentiment  and  reputation  of  our  town,  and  a 
crime  deserving  condign  punishment. 

"  Resolved,  That  notwithstanding  the  unpleasant  relation  which 
existed  between  Mr.  Jones  and  our  citizens,  if  the  attack  could 
have  been  foreseen,  or  considered  at  all  probable,  we  would  have 
neglected  no  means  to  prevent  or  defeat  it.  We  deeply  sympathize 
with  the  wounded  man,  and  will  afford  him  all  the  aid  and  comfort 
in  our  power. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  deeply  regret  that  the  perpetrator  of  this 
deed  is  unknown  ;  and,  if  known  to  us,  we  would  unhesitatingly 
expose  and  denounce  him  as  the  criminal. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  due  to  the  reputation  of  our  town,  and 
loudly  demanded  by  the  deep  and  universal  indignation  which  per 
vades  our  community,  that  the  guilty  author  should,  if  possible, 
be  sought  out  and  surrendered  to  justice. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  investigate  the  circumstances  connected  with  this 
deplorable  occurrence,  and,  if  possible,  to  ferret  out  the  guilty 
agent ;  and  pledge  ourselves  that,  although  not  responsible  as  a 
community  for  this  act  of  a  depraved  individual,  we  will  use  our 
best  efforts  to  show  to  the  world  that  we  have  no  sympathy  for 
crime  in  any  shape,  and  are  prepared  to  treat  the  perpetrators 


202  KANSAS. 

with  that  stern  justice  which  shall  not  stop  to  inquire  whether  they 
are  friends  or  foes." 

No  sympathy  was  manifested  for  the  cowardly  act,  and  a  com 
mittee  was  appointed  to  ferret  out  the  assassin.  Before  the  six 
prisoners  were  taken  to  Lecompton,  efforts  were  made  to  arrest 
others  of  our  citizens,  in  which  they  failed.  Sam  Salters  acted  as 
deputy  sheriff.  Some  laughable  incidents  occurred,  in  consequence 
of  these  efforts. 

This  attempt  to  arrest  our  citizens  for  no  crime  but  looking 
on,  with  hands  in  their  pockets,  when  Jones  calls  upon  them  to 
assist  him,  —  the  person  he  wishes  to  arrest  being  missing,  —  is 
an  outrage  which  arouses  their  indignation.  They  are  not  willing 
to  be  taken  from  their  business,  from  their  homes,  to  be  impris 
oned,  or  to  recognize  his  authority  in  vexatious  suits  at  law,  by 
giving  bail.  Neither  will  they  resist  the  United  States  govern 
ment  by  an  open  resistance  to  the  army  and  navy,  which  President 
Pierce  savs  shall  enforce  these  laws ;  a  course,  however,  which  the 
territorial  authorities  have  earnestly  and  anxiously  desired  they 
should  take.  The  only  way  then  left  to  escape  from  such  arrests 
was  to  keep  out  of  sight  of  the  troops  ;  and  this  for  several  days 
was  done  most  effectually. 

Two  young  men,  who  had  been  stopping  cut  of  town  for  a  day 
or  two,  came  in  one  morning,  thinking  not  to  leave  again,  and 
were  just  flattering  themselves  of  their  present  safety  from  molest 
ation,  when  they  saw  the  troops,  with  the  notorious  deputy,  com 
ing  towards  them.  They  quickly  left  all,  arid  struck  into  the  ra 
vine  west  of  the  town  ;  and,  once  in  its  friendly  covert,  they  took 
different  directions.-  The  one  whose  course  the  troops  followed, 
dropped  his  pistol  as  he  ran,  and,  stopping  to  pick  it  up,  he  saw 
the  deputy  in  advance  of  the  troops,  upon  whom  he  was  calling 
loudly  to  run.  Mindful  of  the  dignity  of  the  United  States  uniform, 
the  blue  coats  marched  steadily  on,  not  heeding  his  cry,  and  seeing 
the  pistol  again  in  the  hand  of  the  pursued,  the  sheriff  seemed  to 
regard  the  present  as  an  opportune  moment  to  take  breath,  and 
waited  for  them  to  come  up.  Whether  the  sight  of  the  pistol  may 
not  have  suggested  such  action,  was  but  little  doubtful.  Be  it  as  it 


COMMITTEE    OF   INVESTIGATION,   ETC.  203 

may,  sufficient  time  was  given  by  the  delay  for  our  friend  to  make 
good  his  escape,  and  in  the  intricacies  of  the  ravines  find  a  safe 
retreat. 

The  same  day  another  of  the  fugitives  was  sitting  on  the  side 
of  the  hill  above  us,  and  did  not  perceive  the  troops  until  they 
were  just  upon  him.  He  immediately  started  for  our  house,  the 
sheriff  calling,  "  Stop,  or  I  '11  shoot  you  !  "  Quickening  his  pace, 
he  replied,  "  Shoot  then  !  "  and  was  soon  at  the  house.  As  he 
passed  through  the  back  room,  whose  doors  were  opposite,  he  said, 
"  I  want  to  leave  my  rifle  here,  for  I  can't  run  with  it." 

The  troops  were  in  sight ;  there  was  only  time  for  me  to  ask, 
"  Will  they  take  rifles  if  they  see  any  here  ?  "  and  for  him  to 
reply,  "  Yes,  the  sheriff  may  order  them  to." 

As  the  dragoons  came  so  far  down  the  hill  that  the  house  ob 
structed  their  vision  of  what  was  passing  beyond,  he  slipped  down 
the  side  hill  north  of  us,  and  entered  a  little  house,  partly  built,  at 
the  base.  His  wife,  learning  of  his  whereabouts,  carried  him  his 
dinner,  which  he  was  leisurely  enjoying,  when  the  six  prisoners, 
escorted  by  some  eight  or  ten  dragoons,  passed  by,  on  their  way 
to  Lecompton. 

As  soon  as  he  left  the  house,  we  saw  the  troops,  with  Salters  at 

their  head,  were  fast  coming,  and  E.  and  I  stowed  away  the  rifles, 

—  several  being  in  the  house,  as  the  guard  were  again  on  their 

watch  at  night.    I  called  to  E.,  who  was  noting  their  progress  then, 

and  asked,  "  Are  they  really  coming?  " 

"  Yes,  they  have  taken  the  road  leading  to  the  house." 

"  Will  I  have  time  to  change  my  dress  ?  "  The  question  was 
prompted  by  a  desire  to  appear  in  proper  costume  before  such 
dignitaries. 

She  replied,  "  No  ;  "  but  had  scarcely  pronounced  the  word, 
before  she  said,  "  They  are  not  coming.  Salters  has  turned  his 
horse  down  the  hill."  Running  to  the  window,  there  they  were, — 
President  Pierce's  army  of  subjugation, —  going  into  the  prairies. 
Salters  had  concluded  to  postpone  his  call  upon  us  until  some 
other  day. 

The  next  morning,  before  all  of  us  had  eaten  breakfast,  some 
who  had  come  in  late,  and  spent  the  night,  thought  they  could 


204  KANSAS. 

venture  down  street  thus  early,  and  one  of  them  had  started  down 
the  hill.  The  others  looking  out,  already  saw  the  troops  on  the 
prairie,  about  a  mile  distant.  A  tap  on  the  window,  and  a  look 
in  the  direction  to  which  a  friendly  hand  pointed,  was  sufficient  to 
bring  the  youth  back.  Hastily  crowding  into  the  pockets  of  the  two 
cold  meat,  bread,  cake,  and  apples,  for  their  dinner,  should  they 
be  where  no  dinner  could  be  had,  they  started  in  an  opposite 
direction  from  the  one  they  had  proposed  earlier.  By  taking  a 
circuitous  route,  they  reached  another  house,  where  their  welcome 
was  always  sure. 

Soon  a  gentleman  came  up  on  horseback.  The  movements  of 
the  troops  could  be  seen  so  far  from  our  house,  that  it  was  a  good 
standing-point  for  observations.  He  had  scarcely  seated  himself, 
before  the  dragoons,  their  sabres  flashing  in  the  sunlight,  came 
prancing  out  of  town,  and  took  the  road  which  led  near  his  house. 
He  rose  hastily,  saying,  "  I  '11  call  again  some  other  day.  I 
must  go  and  tell  the  boys,  now." 

Mounting  his  horse,  he  was  soon  dashing  along  at  a  wild  rate. 
Horse  and  rider  were  down  through  the  valley,  and  over  the  sum 
mit  of  the  hill,  a  half  mile  distant,  as  the  dragoons  came  into 
sio-ht  around  the  brow  of  the  hill  north  of  us.  The  hills  are  in  such 

o 

a  position  that  they  did  not  notice  the  swift  horseman,  and  as  he 
rode  up  to  his  own  door,  more  than  a  mile  away,  we  knew  that 
the  fugitives  were  safe. 

We  at  all  such  times  left  our  doors  unlocked,  so  the  guard  could 
come  in  for  luncheon,  or  a  short  nap,  and  often  in  the  morning  we 
found  as  many  again  had  slept  beneath  the  roof  as  we  supposed 
there  would  be  on  retiring. 

The  family  of  one  of  the  men  so  savagely  hunted  for,  removed 
from  town  to  a  little  cabin  a  mile  or  two  out.  On  coming  home 
one  night  from  a  retreat  still  further  in  the  country,  about  eleven 
o'clock,  thinking  to  see  his  family  for  a  short  time,  as  he  ap 
proached  the  house  he  heard  a  horseman  coming  slowly,  then  a 
voice  from  .the  ravine  said  something  to  him,  and  they  held  a  low 
conversation.  His  suspicions  were  at  once  aroused.  Could  they 
have  learned  where  his  family  are,  and  were  they  looking  for  him  ? 
are  the  quick  suggestions  of  these  circumstances,  and,  heeding 


COMMITTEE    OF   INVESTIGATION,    ETC.  205 

the  voice  of  prudence,  he  took  another  route,  without  going  to 
his  house,  and  came  to  ours. 

The  night  was  dark,  and  very  wet,  the  rainy  season  having 
fairly  set  in.  I  had  left  fire  and  light  burning,  and  had  just  gone 
up  stairs.  Hearing  the  door  open  softly,  I  went  down  again,  and 
so  perfect  was  the  disguise  of  this  familiar  friend,  that,  without 
recognizing  him,  I  said,  "  Good-evening;  "  and  was  only  sure  of 
his  identity,  though  I  took  the  extended  hand,  when  he  said, 
"  You  don't  know  me  ?  "  The  life  of  this  friend  would  not  have 
been  one  moment  safe  had  he  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  foe. 
They  swore  vengeance  upon  him  hourly,  and  it  was  decided  that, 
as  his  life  was  precious,  not  only  to  his  family  and  friends,  but  to 
the  free-state  cause,  he  risked  too  much  by  remaining  here, 
and  he  must  leave.  He  had  had  several  narrow  escapes ;  at  one 
time,  driving  near  a  house,  and  dismounting,  while  the  enemy 
were  in  hot  pursuit,  he  taking  a  footpath  into  a  ravine  close  by, 
while  a  friend  near  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  outstripped  the  enemy, 
and  effectually  misled  them. 

The  house  of  Mr.  Speer  had  been  repeatedly  searched  for  him. 
Sam.  Salters  went  again  with  some  dragoons,  a  few  days  since, 
and  entreated  them  that  they  would  do  the  despicable  work  for 
him.  They  refused  to  do  so,  as  it  was  beyond  the  province  of 
their  duties.  So,  striking  around  with  a  hammer,  which  he 
picked  up,  to  show  his  valor,  he  at  last  declared,  "  he  would  go 
in,"  and,  opening  the  door,  was  greeted  by  a  dash  of  hot  water  in 
his  face. 

Mrs.  Speer  then  said,  "  I  have  respect  for  the  United  States 
troops.  You  can  search  the  house,  but,  as  for  this  puke  of  a 
Missourian  he  shall  not  come  in."  The  troops  enjoyed  this  un 
ceremonious  salutation,  given  by  the  Ohio  lady  to  the  brave 
official. 

Over  at  the  Wakarusa,  something  like  the  following  colloquy 
passed  between  the  troops  and  Salters.  They  had  approached  a 
house  where  Salters  was  hoping  to  find  one  of  the  rescuers.  Salters 
said  to  them,  pointing  to  different  localities,  "  You  stand  at  those 
points."  The  design  evidently  was  to  intercept  any  one  who 
might  attempt  to  pass  from  the  house. 
18 


206  KANSAS. 

The  dragoons  replied,  "It  is  not  our  business  to  arrest 
citizens." 

With  oaths,  the  sheriff  again  told  them  to  take  the  places 
designated ;  but  their  reply,  "  We  are  to  protect  you,  and  how  can 
we  do  it,  if  we  are  stationed  so  far  away  ?  "  mollified  his  anger 
somewhat,  as  he  remembered  he  had  not  had  his  life  insured. 

His  courage,  too,  was  exemplified  by  an  attempted  arrest  of 
one  of  the  rescuers  last  winter.  He  called  at  the  house  of  one 
of  the  men  on  the  Wakarusa,  against  whom  he  had  a  process, 
and  Mrs.  A.  opened  the  door.  Salters  inquired,  "  Where  is  Mr. 
A.?" 

Slie  knew  the  sheriff  by  sight,  and  was  determined  he  should 
not  see  Mr.  A.,  and  said,  very  calmly,  "  He  is  in  the  house." 

"  I  want  to  see  him." 

"  What  do  you  want  to  see  him  for?  " 

"  I  have  business  with  him." 

"  Well,  you  can't  come  in."  % 

Some  other  like  conversation  followed,  when  Salters  turned 
away  to  report  that  Mrs.  A.  had  a  pistol  in  her  hand,  and  he  had 
been  in  danger  of  being  shot.  When  he  knocked,  Mrs.  A.  was 
putting  wood  in  the  stove,  and  went  to  the  door  with  a  little  stick 
in  her  hand.  Thus  are  our  people  continually  harassed  at  the 
instigation  of  the  administration.  For  several  clays  the  troops 
were  about,  attempting  to  find  some  one  to  assist  the  sheriff 
in  arresting ;  although,  in  the  manliness  of  their  hearts,  they 
loathed  such  service,  and  sympathized  in  the  expression  of  one  of 
them,  on  their  first  arrival  at  Lawrence,  "  We  have  never  been 
ashamed  of  the  United  States  service  until  now.  We  never 
were  in  such  vile  work  before."  Indignation  fires  the  hearts  of 
many  of  our  people.  The  feeling  is  so  strong,  that  continual 
efforts,  on  the  part  of  the  leading  men,  are  necessary  to  restrain  the 
men  from  resistance,  and  the  danger  is  imminent  that  some  one, 
pressed  beyond  the  verge  of  human  endurance,  may,  in  an  un 
guarded  hour,  yield  to  his  impulses,  and  a  hasty  but  ill-judged 
resistance  bring  on  us  the  horrors  of  civil  war. 

Called,  a  few  days  since,  upon  a  friend,  who  was  living  in  a 
house,  which  was  scarcely  a  shelter  from  the  storms,  and  whose 


COMMITTEE    OP   INVESTIGATION,    ETC.  207 

husband  had  been  trying  to  make  it  more  comfortable  by  his  own 
efforts,  when  he  was  driven  away  by  these  villains,  under  the 
cover  of  law.  The  lady  had  been  telling  me,  how,  amid  discour 
agements,  this  house  had  been  erected ;  how  she  had  been  hoping 
to  have  it  finished,  so  the  rains  would  not  beat  in ;  and,  just  as 
the  lumber  was  sawed,  her  husband,  leaving  her  ill,  had  to  flee 
out  into  the  country. 

She  said,  that  morning  she  placed  the  rifle  in  the  window,  and 
told  a  young  girl  in  the  family,  if  she  saw  Salters  coming,  to  let 
her  know,  and  she  would  shoot  him  before  he  reached  the  house. 
By  the  determination  of  her  countenance,  I  have  no  doubt  she 
would  have  carried  the  resolution  into  effect.  Yet,  naturally,  she 
was  not  a  bold  woman,  but  one  of  a  timid,  sensitive  nature,  to 
whom  the  change  from  the  refinements  and  ease  of  city  life  to 
pioneer  privations  was  enough  to  bear. 

While  I  was  there  the  husband  came  in,  saying,  as  he  sat  down 
his  rifle,  and  wiped  the  moisture  from  his  brow,  "  I  will  not  run 
again." 

"  But  what  will  you  do  ?  "  was  the  simultaneous  query  of  us 
both. 

"  I  will  protect  myself,"  was  the  bold,  defiant  reply. 

"  And  resist  the  troops?  " 

"  Yes,  I  will  fight  anybody.  If  I  live  under  a  government 
that  does  not  protect  me,  then  I  will  protect  myself,  Frank  Pierce 
or  no  Frank  Pierce." 

This  reveals  the  state  of  feeling  as  well  as  mere  words  can. 
It  is  intense,  and  every  hour  deepens  it. 

No  clue  has  been  found  to  the  intended  murderer  of  Jones.  All 
efforts  in  that  direction  have  proved  futile.  The  safety  of  all  our 
people  demands  that  perpetrators  of  such  deeds  should  be  brought 
to  justice.  Many  feared,  at  first,  that  the  act  was  committed  by 
some  free-state  man,  who  had  been  goaded  on  to  vengeance  by 
wrongs  unparalleled  under  forms  of  law,  which  leave  the  wrong 
doer  to  go  unwhipt  of  justice,  and  oppress  innocent  and  peaceable 
men.  The  impression  prevailing  now,  in  reference  to  the  at 
tempted  assassination  of  Jones,  is,  that  some  fellow-gambler 
sought  his  life,  and,  by  making  the  blow  upon  him  in  Lawrence, 


208  KANSAS. 

thought  to  screen  himself,  and  fasten  the  odium  of  the  dastardly 
act  upon  this  oppressed  people.     The  suggestion,  too,  made  by 
some,  that,  as  the  killing  of  a  free-state  man  in  the  fall  proved. a 
failure     in  causing  a    war  of    extermination,    now    the    pro-sla 
very  ranks  must  furnish  a  victim,  that  the  crusade  may  meet  wit 
success,  has  some  show  of  reason. 

Reports  are  fast  circulating  through  Missouri  that  Jones  is 
dead,  with  handbills,  of  naming  character,  calling  upon  them 
to  the  rescue,  and  their  papers  are  full  of  the  most  vile  fab 
rications,  whole  columns  devoted  to  sentiments  like  the  following : 
"  Reeder  and  Robinson  were  the  aiders  and  abettors  in  the  deed, 
and,  at  the  time,  were  in  some  gully  behind  the  town,  setting  on 
their  accomplices."  And  some  of  the  papers  are  exceedingly  bit 
ter  in  their  denunciations  of  the  commissioners;  all  of  which 
looks  like  exciting  the  people  to  another  invasion. 

The  only  thing  which  has  been  learned,  in  reference  to  the 
attack  upon  Jones,  is  the  following.  Early  on  the  evening  of 
the  twenty-third,  two  men  riding  upon  horseback,  one  very 
tall,  and  the  other  very  short,  stopped  at  a  house  about  a  mile 
from  Lawrence,  and  not  far  from  the  Lecompton  road.  Their 
first  question  was,  "  Is  Jones  in  Lawrence?" 

The  gentleman  replied,  "  I  believe  he  is." 

The  taller  man  then  said,  "  I  am  a  pro-slavery  man,  but  Jones 
shall  never  leave  town  alive." 

They  left  immediately,  taking  the  direction  towards  Lawrence. 
A  little  time  after,  these  men,  marked  by  the  differences  in  their 
stature,  fastened  their  horses  in  front  of  a  provision  store  in  Law 
rence,  and  walked  hastily  down  the  street  towards  the  tents  of 
the  soldiers.  Soon  after,  the  firing  was  heard,  and  they,  quickly 
mounting  their  horses,  drove  off  furiously.  Who  they  were  has 
never  been  ascertained,  and  they  were  strangers  to  the  few  who 
noticed  them. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

REDOUBLED    EFFORTS    FOR  A   NEW    INVASION. 

MAY,  the  month  of  flowers,  has  come  again.  Sweet-scented, 
rose-colored  verbenas  are  blooming  side  by  side  with  a  most  deli 
cate  straw-colored  flower.  It  grows  in  heads  like  the  verbena, 
each  separate  flower  being  a  little  larger,  and  with  serrated  edge. 
The  roses  and  pinks  make  the  air  heavy  with  their  perfume. 
Since  the  taking  of  the  prisoners  to  Lecompton,  and  the  ill  suc 
cess  of  Suiters  in  arresting  any  more,  there  have  been  a  few  days 
of  quiet. 

On  the  second  of  May,  the  ladies  of  the  Literary  Charitable 
Association  gave  a  social  entertainment  at  the  hotel.     There  were 
the  old  settlers  of  Lawrence,  who  had  pitched  their  tents  on  Mt. 
Oread  eighteen  months  before,  mingling  with  the  newly-arrived 
citizens,  the  commissioners  and  their  suite.     The  evening  passed 
merrily,  and,  to   add  to  the  pleasure  of  many,  the  prisoners  at 
Lecompton   arrived.      Through  the  intervention  of  the  soldiers, 
their  guard,  word  had   been  sent  to  Lawrence,  that  the  lives  of 
the  prisoners  were  in  danger,  and  some  of  our  prominent  citizens 
went  up  in  the  morning  to  effect  their  release  by  giving  bail.    The 
soldiers  were  convinced,  from  the  continual  threats  against  them, 
that  there  were  intentions  of  foul  play,  and,  against  the  wishes  of 
the  ruffians,  they  accompanied  the  prisoners  half  way  to  Lawrence. 
The  returned  men  seemed  to  have  the  same  feeling  one  would  be 
likely  to  experience  in  escaping  from  a  lion's  den,  and  were  glad 
to  receive  again  the  kindly  sympathies  of  their  friends.     Refresh 
ments  of  cakes,  fruits,  and  ice-cream,  were  brought  in  at  a  late 
hour,  and  some  lovers  of  the  dance  were  there. 

The  outrages  of  the  pro-slavery  men  are  again  becoming  fre- 


210  KANSAS. 

quent.  Mr.  Mace,  residing  a  few  miles  from  Lawrence,  the 
evening  after  having  given  in  his  testimony  concerning  the  ill 
treatment  he  received  at  the  hands  of  the  Missourians  at  the  elec 
tion  in  the  spring,  was  shot.  Hearing  his  dog  bark,  he  stepped 
out  of  his  house,  and  reports  of  pistols  resounded  in  the  air,  a 
ball  striking  him  in  the  leg.  At  the  same  time,  he  heard  one 
of  the  assassins  say,  "  There  's  another  d — d  abolition  wolf- 
bait  !  " 

A  young  man,  living  on  the  Wakarusa,  has  been  for  many  days 
missing.  He  had  been  seen  to  enter  the  timber  bottoms,  on  his 
way  to  Lawrence.  Soon  after,  a  pro-slavery  man  was  also  seen 
taking  the  same  course,  and  a  shot  was  heard.  Mr.  B.'s  horse 
was  found  with  saddle  on,  in  the  woods.  The  Stubs,  of  which 
young  B.  was  a  member,  searched  for  him,  but  failed  to  find 
him. 

The  second  week  in  May,  the  First  District  Court  held  its  ses 
sion  at  Lecompton,  Judge  Lecompte  presiding.  The  congressional 
committee  also  held  a  session  at  Tecumseh,  twenty  miles  above 
Lawrence,  for  the  better  accommodation  of  witnesses  in  that 
region;  and  of  General  Whitfield,  who  had  declined  to  bring 
his  witnesses  to  Lawrence,  promising,  however,  to  have  them  at 
Tecumseh. 

The  weather  being  lovely,  the  doctor  proposed  that  Mrs.  S.  and 
I  should  accompany  him  to  Topeka,  five  miles  beyond  Tecumseh. 
A  little  later  than  the  committee  we  left  Lawrence,  our  Scotch 
friend,  who  had  just  returned  from  the  states,  accompanying  us. 

A  little  way  on  the  road  we  passed  T.,  who  was  again  going  to 
Lecompton  for  trial,  making  the  third  visit  there  for  the  same 
thing. 

We  reached  Big  Springs  near  noon.  A  collection  of  houses 
and  a  store  were  here,  upon  exceedingly  high  ground.  The  site 
gained  its  name  from  a  number  of  springs  of  excellent  water  in 
the  deep  ravines  near  the  town. 

A  mile  further  on  was  Washington ;  unlike  the  Washington 
with  its  broad  avenue  on  our  eastern  slope,  where  Congress-men, 
fresh  from  gambling-hells  and  deeds  of  sin  which  the  darkness 
hides,  shoot  down  their  fellows  ;  where  our  senators,  for  words  of 


REDOUBLED   EFFORTS   FOR  A  NEW   INVASION.          211 

eloquence  and  truth,  born  of  holy  aspirations  for  freedom,  are 
beaten  by  southern  chivalry.  (?)  0,  how  the  boast  of  the  South, 
their  chivalry,  their  gallantry,  has  in  these  latter  days  proved 
itself  only  the  shadow  of  a  substance,  the  semblance  of  a 
reality  ! 

At  this  Washington,  where  its  log  house,  kept  by  Pennsylva- 
nians,  bears  the  reputation  of  good  meals,  and  quickly  served,  we 
stopped  for  dinner.  The  huge  stone  fire-place,  the  lounge  covered 
with  brocatelle,  the  damask  curtains,  the  little  fancy  clock,  and 
flower-vases,  gave  an  air  of  comfort  to  the  rude  arrangements  of  a 
pioneer  home.  A  Botany,  Mrs.  Lincoln's  Botany,  bringing  back 
our  school-days  and  wild  romps  for  flowers,  lay  open  on  the  lounge, 
and  told  of  a  student  here.  To  our  question  of  who  it  might  be, 
seeing  only  the  proprietor  and  his  wife,  the  mother,  with  a  mother's 
pride,  said  her  son  was  studying  at  home ;  that  he  missed  much  the 
schools  of  Pennsylvania,  but  was  hoping  that  soon  good  schools 
would  be  established  here. 

The  afternoon's  ride  was  over  a  country  of  most  enchanting 
loveliness.  Timber  was  more  abundant,  not  only  marking  the 
line  of  the  creeks,  but  crowning  the  summit  of  many  an  elevation. 
As  we  rode  through  the  woods,  we  saw  little  log  cabins,  with  a 
clearing  around  them,  and  grounds  fenced  in.  The  creeks  were 
all  high  from  recent  rains,  but  as  we  crossed  several  without  diffi 
culty,  and  when  upon  the  further  side  of  each  one,  safely  over,  I 
asked  the  doctor  if  there  were  any  more,  I  grew  almost  impatient 
at  the  stereotyped  answer,  "  One  or  two,"  and  Mrs.  S.  laughed, 
and  said,  "  Why,  what  a  timid  little  thing  you  are  !  "  It  was  not 
fear  of  any  personal  danger  which  annoyed  me,  but  the  unpleas 
antness  of  detention  by  the  breaking  of  the  carriage.  The  horses 
were  very  restive  in  going  down  the  steep  banks,  and  it  would  not 
be  the  most  delightful  thing  in  the  world  to  find  one's  self  taking 
an  unintentional  plunge-bath  in  such  muddy  waters  as  the  pouring 
rains  of  the  last  week  had  occasioned. 

But  we  had  accomplished  the  journey  to  within  three  or  four 
miles  of  Tecumseh  without  hindrance ;  and,  as  we  approached 
another  creek,  which  had  precipitous  banks,  we  found  four  heavily- 
loaded  emigrant  wagons,  each  drawn  by  five  or  six  yoke  of  oxen, 


212  KANSAS. 

in  advance  of  us.  One  or  two  teams  had  just  crossed,  and  one 
was  then  going  down  the  bank,  while  the  last  one  was  waiting,  and 
we  drove  in  ahead  to  be  ready  for  the  next  passage.  There  was  a 
bridge  over  the  water  when  at  its  usual  height,  but  this  rise  had 
covered  the  bridge,  and  everything  by  which  we  could  tell  its 
actual  position. 

The  heavy  wagon  of  the  emigrants  struck  the  bridge  a  little 
too  far  on  the  right,  and  the  wheels  slid  off  into  the  water.  The 
danger  at  this  time  was  that  the  wagon  would  be  upset  into  the 
creek.  We  could  not  pass  it,  and  must  wait  just  where  we  were, 
half  down  the  winding  bank,  a  high  ledge  on  one  side  of  us, 
and  a  miniature  precipice  on  the  other,  where  old  dead  branches 
of  trees  abounded.  The  driver  of  the  wagon  took  off  all  the  oxen 
save  one  yoke,  and  he  cudgelled  them  in  a  manner,  which  the 
ancient  text,  "  The  righteous  man  is  merciful  to  his  beast,"  proved 
him  to  be  entirely  lacking  in  the  kindly  element,  but  not  one  step 
did  the  poor  cattle  stir. 

A  half  hour  passed  away.  The  other  yokes  were  put  on  again. 
The  man  stood  on  the  lower  side,  in  the  water,  and  attempted  to 
steady  the  wheels  ;  but  the  oxen  did  not  pull.  The  wagon  was  a 
fixture  directly  on  this  highway  between  Lawrence  and  Topeka. 
The  oxen  seemed  unused  to  the  yoke,  and  the  teamsters  equally 
new  in  driving  them,  and  the  question  of  our  getting  to  Topeka 
began  to  grow  serious.  At  last  the  oxen  were  taken  from  the 
front  of  the  wagon,  and  placed  on  the  other  end  ;  also  some  other 
cattle  were  taken  from  the  wagon  on  the  road,  making  ton  yokes 
in  all.  The  attempt  to  start  the  wagon  backward  was  now  to  be 
made,  and  we  were  directly  in  the  way.  Our  carriage  was  driven 
as  far  out  on  the  edge  of  the  bank  as  it  could  stand,  leaving  just 
room  enough  for  the  oxen  and  wagon  to  pass  out  by  the  side  of 
us,  if  they  behaved  well,  and  with  a  laudable  regard  for  other 
people's  rights,  made  no  encroachments  upon  ours.  Mrs.  S.  seemed 
to  have  a  doubt  of  their  doing  so,  and  with  the  gentlemen  left  the 
carriage,  and  me  all  alone  in  it.  Mr.  P.,  however,  was  not  far 
away.  Doctor  at  last  took  the  whip,  and  tried  his  skill  at  driving 
the  patient  creatures.  Another,  with  whip  in  hand,  which  he 
brandished  with  amazing  dignity,  stood  between  them  and  the 


REDOUBLED    EFFORTS   FOR  A  NEW    INVASION.         213 

carriage ;    still  another  was  holding  the  tongue  of  the  wagon. 
After  various  ineffectual  efforts,  and  much  loud  hallooing,  mingled 
with  doubts  and  fears  on  our  part,  the  oxen  gave  one  "  long  and 
strong  pull  together,"  and  the  wheels  moved.     The  man  standing 
nearest  them  fell  into  the  water,  but  he  came  up  again  with  a 
broad  grin  upon  his  face,  and  we  could  not  help  making  it  general. 
With  three  pulls,  and  three  several  «  dips  "  of  the  man  into  the 
creek,  the  laugh  each  time  being  louder  as  his  good-natured  face 
appeared  dripping  with  the  muddy  water,  not  a  jot  of  his  cheer 
fulness  abated,  the  wagon  was  removed  from  the  way.    Our  party 
being  quickly  reseated  in  the  carriage,  by  the  aid  of  the  drenched 
man,  who  offered  to  stand  by  the  bridge  that  we  might  know  where 
it  was,  we  reached  the  other  shore  safely,  and  were  on  our  way 
again.'   We  asked  the  doctor,  who  had  had  a  California  trip  over- 
land,  how  this  compared  with  some  of  their  crossing  of  streams  on 
the  plains,  and  he  answered  us  very  energetically,  that  « it  was 
nothing  in  comparison  to  those."     On  our  arrival  at  Tecumseh, 
we  found  the  party  who  had  started  ahead  of  us  had  had  trouble 
in  crossing,  the  water  being  so  high  that  they  had  to  leave  their 
carriage  for  a  time,  getting  over  themselves  at  some  other  point, 
or  climbing  among  the  dead  logs. 

Tecumseh  is  a  fine  location  for  a  town  ;  high  from  the  river, 
with  a  heavy  growth  of  wood  near  by.     A  court-house  of  brick, 
with  pillars,  is  being  built,  also  a  large  brick  store,  while  the 
hotel,  which  is  a  wooden  building,  is  quite  capacious.     Stinson,  a 
white  man,  who  married  a  Shawnee  wife,  resides  here.     He  is  a 
pro-slavery  man,  and  owns  two  or  three  slaves.      By  the  treaty, 
every  member  of  his  family  is  entitled  to  two  hundred  acres  of 
land;  hence,  he  is  quite  a  landholder.      Judge  Elmore  also  re 
sides  here.      It  has  been  currently  reported,  and  never  contra 
dicted,  that,  during  the  severe  cold  of  last  winter,  the  judge  and 
his  wife  were  obliged  to  take  care  of  their  nineteen  slaves  — he 
haulino-  wood,  and  cutting  it,  to  keep  them  warm  ;  that  one  old 
man  froze  to  death  in  his  bed,  while  another  was  crippled  for 

life. 

The  district  here  is  largely  free-state,  notwithstanding  some  of 
the  owners  in  the  town  are  pro-slavery.     Col.  Woodson,  of  Inde- 


214  KANSAS. 

pendence,  Missouri,  acting  counsel  for  Gen.  Whitfield,  had  busi 
ness  at  home  which  required  his  immediate  attendance,  when  he 
learned  the  commissioners  were  going  to  Tecumseh.  The  singu 
larity  and  suddenness  of  the  move  was  explained  satisfactorily, 
when  examining  the  poll  books  of  the  30th  of  March  election,  the 
name  of  Col.  S.  H.  Woodson,  Independence,  Missouri,  was  found 
registered  in  full. 

We  arrived  at  Topeka  towards  night-fall,  after  crossing  two 
more  deep  ravines,  and  one  strong  bridge,  a  mark  of  civilization 
and  progress.  We  drove  to  a  building  which  had  been  kept  as  a 
hotel  by  an  acquaintance.  They  had  gone  out  of  town,  and  were 
living  on  a  claim.  Having  found  the  direction,  we  went  out  there, 
stopping  on  the  way,  however,  at  "  Commercial  Head  Quarters," 
to  learn  if  accommodations  for  a  few  days  could  be  had  there. 
The  reply  was,  "  We  are  building,  everything  is  topsy-turvy,  but 
we  will  see  what  we  can  do  for  you." 

We  found  our  Boston  friend  living  some  two  miles  from  town, 
and  no  road  running  near.  There  was  a  lovely  prospect  in  the 
distance,  but  solitude  unequalled  all  around.  The  house  was 
neither  a  shelter  from  the  winds  nor  storms.  The  floor-boards 
were  loose,  moving  at  every  step,  with  large  cracks  between,  and, 
through  fear  of  snakes,  she  slept  upon  a  few  boards  laid  upon  the 
beams  near  the  roof,  and  scarcely  dared  step  from  the  door,  so 
great  was  her  fear  of  them.  She  was  ill  with  a  severe  cold,  taken 
by  exposures,  and  seemed  a  little  nervous  too,  in  regard  to  the 
continual  outrages  of  the  Missourians,  but  was  hoping  soon  to  get 
back  to  her  house  in  town. 

We  returned  to  ;'  Commercial  Head  Quarters,"  and  entered 
through  a  long,  narrow  room  ;  cooking-stove  and  table  were  stand 
ing  upon  one  side,  and  table  with  chairs  upon  the  other,  while 
upon  the  end,  leaving  only  room  for  the  door  into  an  entry,  were 
a  large  number  of  shelves,  with  other  shelves  also  near  the  door,  on 
the  side  of  the  room.  They  were  all  empty,  and  Yankee  inge 
nuity  does  not  suggest  for  what  purpose  they  were  hung.  Two  or 
three  cages  of  canaries  hung  overhead,  and  they  twittered  and 
sung  continually.  Back  of  the  little  entry  was  the  dining-room, 
with  just  room  enough  left  for  stairway  between  the  two  rooms. 


REDOUBLED    EFFORTS   FOR   A   NEW   INVASION.        215 

The  stairs  were  little,  narrow  boards  laid  on  insecurely !  How 
dizzy  one's  head  grew  at  the  first  steep  ascent !  Time  and  use 
even  did  not  render  them  wholly  safe  to  me,  with  nothing  to  steady 
one's  self  by,  and  there  was  no  security  against  reaching  the  bot 
tom  by  a  quicker  mode  than  stairways  usually  anticipate.  On 
reaching  the  landing  at  the  top,  we  found  ourselves  in  a  room  of 
the  same  size  as  the  lower  one.  This,  evidently,  was  a  general 
sleeping  apartment,  for  there  were  beds,  beds,  nothing  but  beds. 
They  stood  along  the  sides  of  the  room,  the  foot  of  the  first  reach 
ing  the  head  of  the  second,  and  leaving  only  a  space  a  few  feet 
square  by  the  stairway.  Stepping  about  two  feet  in  a  straightfor 
ward  direction,  we  came  to  another  little  entry,  from  which  stairs 
to  the  attic  ascended.  On  the  left  was  a  door  opening  into  the 
printing-oflice,  and  on  the  right  a  curtain,  which  supplied  the  place 
of  door,  was  uplifted,  and  we  were  ushered  into  an  apartment. 
We  sat  down  on  a  sofa  (two  were  standing  close  together,  and 
filled  one  side  of  the  room),  and  realized  that,  as  Mr.  G.  said, 
"  they  are  topsy-turvy,"  and  not  that  exactly,  but  that  there  is  a 
great  deal  of  furniture  in  one  room.  The  width  of  the  sofa,  sera- 
phine,  and  large  French  bedstead,  was  a  nice  fit  for  one  end  of 
the  room.  The  lounge  and  handsome  secretary,  with  a  chair  at 
each  end  of  it,  filled  in  between  the  bedstead  and  another  one  at 
the  other  end  of  the  room.  Centre-table  stood  a  little  in  front 
of  the  secretary,  with  a  vase  of  beautiful  flowers,  and  jewelry 
case  upon  it.  A  large  Boston  rocker,  with  mahogany  squab-seat 
chairs  and  cricket,  made  up  the  movable  furniture.  A  family 
portrait  gallery  adorned  the  walls.  There  were  pictures  of  beau 
tiful  little  children,  and  pictures,  also,  of  scriptural  design,  drawn 
from  the  times  of  the  Saviour.  This  room  was  set  apart  for  Mrs. 
S.  and  I,  and,  though  one  could  hardly  take  two  steps  without 
moving  a  chair,  we  soon  felt  quite  at  home.  There  was  a  number 
of  boarders  in  the  house,  and  in  the  two  families  keeping  the 
house  only  thirteen  children.  This  house,  at  the  time  of  the  con 
stitutional  convention,  accommodated  seventy  boarders. 

The  ladies  of  Topeka,  with  their  wealth  of  social  feeling,  soon 
called  to  see  us.  The  sewing-circle  and  temperance  society  also 
held  their  meeting  while  we  were  there.  The  ladies,  coming  from 


216  KANSAS. 

almost  all  states  in  the  Union,  seemed  to  be  bound  together  in 
strong  bonds  of  friendship,  and  the  partiality  they  feel  for  Topeka 
above  other  settlements  is  not  only  felt  but  loudly  expressed.  It 
is  doubtless  true  that  the  residents  of  other  settlements  are  as 
strongly  impressed  with  the  advantages  of  their  own.  It  is  a  sin 
gular  fact,  and  one  often  remarked  in  this  country,  that,  if  we  were 
to  judge  by  the  observations  of  others,  or  our  own  feelings  when 
in  different  localities,  each  place  is  "  the  most  beautiful  of  all." 
Almost  every  person  seems  to  think  their  own  claim  the  best,  and 
it  can  only  be  accounted  for  by  the  acknowledgment  of  the  fact 
that  an  exceeding  loveliness  is  spread  over  the  whole  face  of  the 
country,  and  actual  possession  of  such  beauty  doubles  its  value  to 
the  possessor. 

Towards  evening  of  one  of  the  days  we  were  at  Topeka,  the 
commissioners,  Gov.  Reeder,  and  several  others,  arrived  from 
Tecumseh.  The  house  was  indeed  full.  Doctor  went  out  to  some 
of  his  acquaintances,  to  see  if  he  could  not  find  lodgings  for  us 
elsewhere,  that  he  might,  by  giving  up  his  bed  in  the  general  sleep 
ing-room,  make  room  for  more ;  but  every  one's  house  was  full. 
The  necessity  of  the  case  then  demanded  that  two  sleeping  apart 
ments  should  be  made  of  one  room,  and,  by  driving  some  nails  in 
the  beam  overhead,  and  hanging  Mr.  S.'s  large,  red,  double  blanket 
in  the  centre,  this  was  quickly  done. 

The  same  day  one  of  Buford's  men  was  at  Tecumseh  with  a 
subprena  for  Gov.  Reeder  to  appear  as  a  witness  before  the  grand 
jury  at  Lecompton  He  declined  answering  the  summons,  on  the 
ground  of  his  business  before  the  commissioners  —  that  he  was 
exempt  from  appearing  as  a  witness.  Open  threats  were  being 
made  at  this  time  against  Gov.  Reeder's  life.  Major  Clark, 
the  murderer  of  Barber,  was  drilling  a  company  of  fifty  men  at 
Lecompton,  daily,  and  the  Buford  men  were  gathering  at  Lecomp 
ton.  We  passed  them  in  companies  of  eight  or  ten  as  we  went  to 
and  from  Topeka.  They  have  no  money,  only  the  clothes  they 
wear,  and  a  rifle,  for  which  they  have  given  their  notes  to  Major 
BuforJ.  They  looked,  indeed,  like  the  very  offscouring  of  all 
creation. 

When  they  landed  at  Kansas  city  they  had  no  money  to  pay 


REDOUBLED    EFFORTS   FOR   A   NEW   INVASION.        217 

for  their  night's  lodging,  and  did  not  meet  with  that  free,  whole 
hearted  support  which  they  expected  from  the  many  calls  made 
upon  them  to  come  to  the  territory.  One  of  the  men  was  forcibly 
ejected  from  the  pantry  of  the  hotel  there,  that  not  being  the  land 
lord's  usual  place  of  entertaining  his  guests.  The  same  evening, 
after  reaching  Kansas  city,  Major  Buford  called  his  men  on  to  the 
high  hill  back  of  the  hotel,  and  laid  down  the  orders  to  them. 
He  bound  them  upon  an  oath  taken  upon  the  Bible  to  remain  in  the 
territory  to  vote,  and  at  all  times  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness 
to  fight  while  they  did  remain.  Some  of  the  party,  who,  by 
false  representations,  had  been  induced  to  join  the  company,  be 
came  disgusted  with  the  new  phase  affairs  were  taking,  and  imme 
diately  left  for  home.  Others  would  have  done  the  same,  but  for 
want  of  passage-money. 

A  member  of  that  company,  now  in  the  government  employ, 
told  me  the  offer  of  Major  Buford  was,  to  pay  their  expenses 
here,  support  them  twelve  months,  and  set  them  upon  claims  which 
were  already  selected  for  them,  and  he  was  then  to  have  a  share 
in  the  claim.  Being  poor,  these  inducements  to  get  a  living  were  a 
temptation,  and  the  lure  was  successful.  How  different  was  the 
reality  when  they  arrived  here  !  This  man  also  stated  that  the  first 
time  they  heard  that  fighting  was  to  be  their  business  was  when  they 
arrived  at  Kansas  city.  Hence  the  disgust  with  which  many  re 
turned  to  their  homes.  That  they  are,  as  a  whole,  a  poor,  degraded, 
ignorant  set  of  beings,  one  glance  will  suffice  to  show.  Complaining 
as  one  of  them  was  to  a  free-state  man,  for  years  a  resident  of  the 
territory,  of  his  bitter  fate,  the  latter  said  to  him,  "  Why  don't 
you  get  some  work  to  do  ?  " 

"  I  can't  work ;  I  never  worked  a  day  in  my  life." 

"  Then  you  will  have  to  buy  a  negro,  and  let  him  work  for 
you." 

"  I  have  no  money  to  buy  anything." 

What  can  such  a  community  as  this  do  in  Kansas  ?  Is  there 
anything  left  for  such  creatures  to  do  but  kill,  plunder  and  de 
stroy?  It  has  been  the  threat  of  some  pro-slavery  men,  that 
when  the  free-state  men  should  be  driven  out,  they  would  take 
their  houses  and  claims.  Is  this  the  selection  of  claims  Major  B, 
19 


218  KANSAS. 

had  reference  to,  in  promising  claims  to  his  men  ?  While  such 
men  as  these  were  making  Lecompton  their  head-quarter?,  and 
Major  Clark  was  drilling  his  fifty  men,  Judge  Lecorapte  delivered 
his  extraordinary  charge  to  the  grand  jury.  As  a  legal  curiosity 
it  deserves  preservation,  and  will  be  regarded  with  interest  by  all 
who  have  fallen  under  the  jurisdiction  of  a  judge  as  much  more 
infamous  than  Judge  Jeffries  as  his  consummate  ignorance  renders 
him  more  despicable.  A  portion  of  it  reads  thus : 

''This  territory  was  organized  by  an  act  of  Congress,  and  so  far 
its  authority  is  from  the  United  States.  It  has  a  legislature 
elected  in  pursuance  of  that  organic  act.  This  legislature,  being 
an  instrument  of  Congress  by  which  it  governs  the  territory,  has 
passed  laivs.  These  laws,  therefore,  are  of  United  States  authority 
and  making ;  and  all  that  resist  these  laws  resist  the  power  and 
authority  of  the  United  States,  and  are,  therefore,  guilty  of  high 
treason. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,  if  you  find  that  any  person  has  resisted  these 
laws,  then  you  must,  under  your  oaths,  find  bills  against  them  for 
hio-h  treason.  If  you  find  that  no  such  resistance  has  been  made, 
but  that  combinations  have  been  formed  for  the  purpose  of  resist 
ing  them,  and  individuals  of  influence  and  notoriety  have  been 
aiding  and  abetting  in  such  combinations,  then  must  you  find 
bills  for  constructive  treason."  To  make  the  matter  so  plain  that 
even  the  dullest  of  his  hearers  may  not  fail  to  comprehend  his 
meaning,  he  states  that  some  who  are  "dubbed  governor,  lieuten 
ant  governor,  etc.,  are  such  individuals  of  influence  and  notoriety." 

Before  this  famous  charge  of  Judge  Lecompte,  on  the  8th  of 
May,  as  Gov.  Reeder  had  returned  from  Tecumseh,  and  was  con 
ducting  the  examination  of  a  witness  before  the  committee  at 
Lawrence,  Deputy  Marshal  Fain  appeared  in  court,  and  served  a 
writ  of  attachment  upon  Governor  Heeder.  He  arose  and  informed 
the  committee  of  the  fact,  and  gave  the  three  following  reasons 
for  his  not  obeying  the  subpoena  of  the  day  before;  namely,  infor 
mality  in  the  writ,  insecurity  of  person  at  Lecompton,  and  privi 
lege  as  a  member  of  Congress.  The  writ  was  not  properly  ad 
dressed  to  any  officer ;  it  did  not  specify  the  day  in  which  it 
required  him  to  appear ;  it  was  not  properly  attested.  He  stated 


REDOUBLED   EFFORTS   FOR   A   NEW   INVASION.        219 

further,  that  the  House  of  Representatives  had  recognized  him  as 
a  claimant  for  a  seat  in  that  body,  as  a  delegate  from  Kansas ; 
that  he  was,  therefore,  entitled  to  the  same  privileges  as  a  mem 
ber  of  Congress,  conferred  by  the  sixth  section  of  article  first  of  the 
federal  constitution.  It  was  also  the  opinion  of  the  majority  of 
the  committee  that  Gov.  Reeder  would  be  privileged  from  arrest 
to  the  same  extent  that  a  member  of  the  committee  would  be,  and 
that  his  duty  required  him  to  attend  the  sittings  of  the  committee 
instead  of  those  of  the  territorial  courts.  G-ov.  Reeder  was  a  con 
testant  for  a  seat  in  Congress;  his  memorial  had  been  received  ; 
the  committee  was  sent  to  Kansas  to  take  testimony  in  his  case ; 
and  his  attendance,  in  obedience  to  the  summons  of  the  committee, 
is  essential  to  the  prosecution  of  their  labors.  He  must  judge  for 
himself  upon  his  course  of  action.  Gov.  Reeder  then  informed  the 
officer  he  should  not  be  arrested,  and,  if  he  attempted  it,  it  would 
be  at  his  peril.  Soon  after  the  deputy  left,  however,  he  sent  a 
letter  to  Judge  Lecompte,  saying  he  would  appear  before  him 
as  a  witness,  if  he  would  promise  him  protection  while  in  Lecomp- 
ton,  and  grant  him  a  safe  return  to  Lawrence  when  he  should  have 
given  in  his  testimony.  The  answer  of  the  judge  was,  that  "  the 
matter  had  gone  out  of  his  hands." 

The  committee  being  about  to  leave  for  Leavenworth,  Governor 
Reeder  was  warned  not  to  go  with  them  if  he  would  escape  assas 
sination  ;  but  his  reply  was  that  he  should  go.  It  was  not  un 
known  to  many  that,  on  his  first  arrival  in  Kansas,  in  May,  com 
ing  to  Lawrence  by  way  of  Leavenworth,  he  had  only  left  the 
last-named  place  when  a  band  of  men  threatened  to  assassinate 
him  if  he  could  be  found.  These  threats  had  not  grown  less 
bitter  or  more  rare,  and  reports  from  Wyandot,  Leavenworth,  and 
Kansas  city,  showed  that  a  new  invasion  was  being  planned  against 
the  territory.  On  the  tenth,  word  came  into  Lawrence  of  these 
plans  of  the  borderers.  They  were  crossing  into  the  territory  and 
forming  about  Atchison,  ready  to  march  at  any  time.  Their  first 
plan  was,  by  forced  and  stealthy  marches,  at  night,  to  surprise 
Lawrence.  But,  seeing  the  impracticability  of  such  a  procedure, 
another  plan  more  sure  was  adopted,  and,  on  the  eleventh  of  May, 


220  KANSAS. 

United  States   Marshal   Donaldson  issued  his  proclamation  of 
falsehoods. 

"  PROCLAMATION  ! 

"  TO   THE    PEOPLE    OF   KANSAS   TERRITORY. 

"  Whereas  certain  judicial  writs  have  been  directed  to  me,  by 
the  First  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  etc.,  to  be  executed 
within  the  County  of  Douglas  ;  and  whereas  an  attempt  to  execute 
them  by  the  United  States  deputy  marshal  was  violently  resisted 
by  a  large  number  of  the  citizens  of  Lawrence,  and  as  there  is 
every  reason  to  believe  that  an  attempt  to  execute  these  writs  will 
be  resisted  by  a  large  body  of  armed  men ;  now,  therefore,  the 
law-abiding  citizens  of  the  territory  are  commanded  to  be  and  ap 
pear  at  Lecompton,  as  soon  as  practicable,  and  in  numbers  suffi 
cient  for  the  proper  execution  of  the  law. 

"  Given  under  my  hand,  this  llth  day  of  May,  1856. 

",«J.  B.  DONALDSON, 
"  U.  S.  Marshal  for  Kansas  Territory." 

My  husband,  going  upon  business  to  the  East,  was  also  taken 
prisoner  on  the  tenth  of  May,  by  a  gang  of  Missourians  at  Lex 
ington.  They  declared  he  was  running  away  from  an  indictment, 
and  by  their  whole  conversation  showed  themselves  better  ac 
quainted  with  the  designs  of  Judge  Lecompte  and  Gov.  Shan 
non  than  the  people  of  this  territory.  They  sent  word  to  this 
tool  of  theirs,  who  bears  the  title  of  governor  of  the  territory,  arid 
he  recognized  them  as  his  agents  and  accomplices. 

Letters  written  by  H.  C.  Pate,  filled  with  utter  falsehoods,  cal 
culated  to  arouse  the  passions  of  the  border  men,  were  published  in 
the  St.  Louis  Republican.  In  a  letter  dated  Palermo,  K.  T.,  May 
5,  and  published  in  the  Republican,  he  made  an  untrue  statement 
with  regard  to  Jones,  then  stated  that  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Harper  had  been  shot  in  or  near  Lawrence,  and  went  into  doleful 
strains  on  the  want  of  compassion  of  the  people  of  Lawrence  for 
the  bereaved  wife  and  children  ;  all  of  which  was  a  sheer  fabrica 
tion  —  no  man  of  the  name  of  Harper  having  lived  in  Lawrence,  or 
any  man  been  molested ;  and  another  proof  was  given  of  the  old 


REDOUBLED   EFFORTS  FOR  A  NEW  INVASION.        221 

adage,  that  "  an  idle  man's  brain  is  the  devil's  workshop."  He 
closed  his  letter,  however,  by  an  appeal  for  present  help,  saying, 
"  I  think  I  shall  be  able,  in  a  few  days,  to  give  you  something  of 
an  interesting  and  conclusive  character." 

In  this  way  was  every  means  used  to  create  a  war  in  the  terri 
tory.  The  St.  Louis  Intelligencer  published  the  following  letter, 
date! 

"  PARKVILLE,  Mo.,  May  16,  1856. 

"  Prepare  for  an  awful  shock !  Hold  a  steady  helm,  or  the 
old  ship  will  be  wrecked !  Armed  men  are  rushing  into  the 
territory.  The  destruction  of  Lawrence  is  meditated.  Civil  war 
is  just  before  us.  Couriers  just  from  Lawrence  say  they  have 
from  one  thousand  to  fifteen  hundred  men,  while  there  are  from 
eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  around  the  place,  but  increasing 
fast.  It  is  thought  the  destruction  of  the  committee  and  evidence 
is  the  cause  of  the  outbreak,  or  at  the  bottom.  We  pray  the 
Almighty  Grod  to  avert  these  dreadful  evils.  The  secret  border 
league  is  at  the  head  of  this  affair.  It  is  expected  to  result  in 
disunion.  The  ultras  on  both  sides  are  dangerous  men.  Strike 
boldly  for  the  union  of  this  great  country,  and  may  God  bless 
you.  It  is  said  the  ladies  of  Lawrence  are  arming.  The  Platte 
city  cannon  and  many  men  have  gone  over.  None  have  yet 
gone  from  Parkville.  It  is  not  advised  by  the  masses  ;  most  good 
citizens  are  against  it." 

While  this  shows  the  state  of  things  in  the  Missouri  border, 
outrage  and  pillage  were  already  committed  by  the  ruffians  arrived 
in  the  territory.  As  a  party  of  free-state  men,  on  the  fifteenth  of 
May,  were  quietly  at  work  in  a  field  in  Benicia,  a  little  town 
about  eight  miles  from  Lawrence,  unarmed,  they  were  suddenly 
surrounded  by  twenty-five  Missourians,  wholly  armed,  who,  with 
out  any  warrant  or  authority,  took  them  prisoners.  They  carried 
them  into  a  neighboring  cabin,  and,  with  many  threats  of  instant 

death,  ordered  them  to  leave  Kansas.    "  Gr — d  d n  you.  if  you 

are  ever  caught  here  again  you  shall  be  strung  up  !      Go  to  Ne 
braska,  d n  you !     You  have  no  right  in  Kansas !  "  was  the 

language  of  these  ruffians.      "  We  are  coming  to  Lawrence  in  a 
19* 


222  KANSAS. 

few  days,  to  wipe  out  the  d d  abolition  city,  and  to  kill  or 

drive  off  every  one  of  the  inhabitants,"  was  \hefinale  of  all  their 
threats.  All  the  prisoners  except  a  Mr.  S.,  of  Worcester,  Mass., 
were  soon  released.  He  had  answered  them  like  a  man,  and  was 
reserved  for  further  punishment.  The  following  is  the  speech  of 
Major  Herbert,  the  leader  of  the  ruffians : 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  The  cause  of  our  being  together  to-day  is  of  a 
peculiar  character.  The  condition  of  things  at  this  time,  and 
things  that  have  been  said  and  done,  you  are  better  acquainted 
with  than  I  am.  I  have  been  here  but  a  short  time.  What  you 
know  are  facts ;  what  I  know  is  hearsay,  but  my  information  is 
such  that  it  becomes  facts. 

"  I  now  want  to  give  you  a  piece  of  advice.  You  are  in  a  state 
of  rebellion.  You  have  been  aiding  designing  men  in  carrying 
out  their  point,  which  has  brought  this  Union  almost  or  quite 
into  a  state  of  dissolution.  You  have  been  offering  resistance  to 
the  laws  of  the  territorial  Legislature,  which  was  no  doubt  a  legal 
one.  The  President  has  declared  it  legal ;  Congress  has  declared 
it  legal ;  and  resistance  to  those  laws  is  TREASON  ! 

"  What  did  you  come  here  for  ?  Why  did  you  not  go  to  Min 
nesota,  or  Nebraska?  It  is  not  half  settled,  and  is  as  good  country 
as  this.  But,  no ;  you  must  come  here.  You  want  to  get  the 
whole  of  the  territory.  That  belongs  to  the  South. 

"  We  are  going  to  drive  you  all  out.  We  are  going  to  Law 
rence  to  take  their  arms.  We  are  going  to  take  every  d d 

thing  they  have  got.  The  South  asks  nothing  of  the  North.  Now 
my  advice  to  you  is  this  :  keep  on  at  your  work  here,  stay  at  home, 
have  nothing  to  do  with  elections  or  voting.  If  you  do  you  will 
be  liable  to  be  hanged  on  the  first  tree  you  come  to. 

"  Every  man  has  a  right  to  his  opinions,  and  a  right  to  express 
them  openly.  Do  you  suppose  I  would  go  into  a  free-state  camp 
and  tell  them  that  I  was  a  free-state  man  ?  No,  by  G — d !  I 
should  hope  I  had  more  respect  for  myself  or  country.  I  told 
my  people,  before  I  left  home,  that  I  would  see  that  this  was 
made  a  slave-state,  or  die,  and,  by  G — d,  it  shall  be  done,  or  every 
pro-slavery  man  in  the  territory  will  die  in  the  attempt.  It  will 


REDOUBLED  EFFORTS  FOR  A  NEW  INVASION.    223 

be  done  peaceably  if  it  can ;  if  not,  by  Gr — d,  it  shall  be  by  the 
point  of  the  bowie-knife  ! 

"  This  territory  belongs  to  the  South,  and,  by  Gr — d,  the  South 
will  have  it !  Is  not  this  so,  boys?  [turning  to  his  posse.  « It  is,' 
was  the  response.]  You  have  offered  no  resistance,  and  I  hope 
that  you  will  not.  If  you  do  you  will  be  dealt  with  in  a  more 
summary  manner.  Gentlemen,  you  are  released." 

Cows  and  other  animals  had,  for  several  days,  been  killed  and 
carried  off  to  the  camp  of  the  invaders  at  Lecompton.  One  free- 
state  man  was  obliged  by  the  ruffians  to  drive  his  own  cow  there, 
where  they  killed  her  before  his  eyes. 

On  the  evening  of  the  13th  of  May,  Mr.  J.  Weaver,  assistant 
sergeant  at  arms  of  the  congressional  committee,  was  returning 
to  Lawrence  with  one  of  the  witnesses  whom  he  had  subpoened. 
Not  finding  his  way  to  the  ferry  readily,  a  United  States  dragoon, 
whom  he  met,  offered  to  show  him  the  way,  and  as  they  came  in 
sight  of  the  ferry,  they  were  just  upon  a  camp  of  one  hundred 
men,  armed  with  revolvers,  bowie-knives,  United  States  muskets, 
and  bayonets.  They  rode  through  the  camp  to  the  ferry-landing, 
and  dismounted.  As  they  did  so,  several  men  lying  about  on  the 
ground  exclaimed,  "  What  in  the  h — 11  does  that  mean?  " 

A  crowd  from  the  camp  gathered  around  them,  and  one,  coming 
in  front  of  Mr.  Weaver,  asked  where  he  was  from,  and  where 
going ;  to  which  he  replied  he  had  been  up  north,  and  was  going 
to  Lawrence ;  when  one  of  the  ruffians  remarked,  "  You  won't  get 
there  very  soon."  He  then  asked  "how  he  was  on  the  goose?  " 
to  which  he  replied,  "  he  was  on  the  right  side,"  but  did  not  enter 
into  any  explanations  of  what,  in  his  estimation,  the  right  side 
might  be.  This  answer  raised  the  ire  of  the  ruffian,  and  he  said 
Mr.  Weaver  was  "  a  fit  subject  to  stay  with  them  over  night." 

At  this  remark  a  number  of  the  men  gathered  around  with 
muskets  in  their  hands.  Another  man,  who  had  been  talking  with 
the  dragoon,  came  up  and  said  to  the  man,  "  It  would  be  better 
not  to  interfere  with  Mr.  Weaver,  as  he  was  in  charge  of  the 
dragoon."  Mr.  Weaver  then  said  "  he  was  not  in  charge  of  the 
drao-oon,  but  was  himself  a  United  States  officer,"  and  to  the 


224  KANSAS. 

question  of  what  kind  of  an  officer,  he  replied,  "  he  was  an  officer 
of  the  U.  S.  House  of  Representatives,  and  was  called  sergeant-at- 
arms." 

His  papers  were  then  called  for,  and  he  handed  his  subpoena  to 
a  man  they  called  colonel,  who  had  the  appearance  of  a  man  who 
might  read. 

After  a  thorough  examination  of  the  papers,  and  some  consult 
ation,  he  told  Mr.  W.  "his  case  would  be  considered,"  asking  him 
if  "  he  did  not  know  these  were  war  times." 

When  Mr.  W.  expressed  his  ignorance  of  such  a  fact,  the  ruffian 
replied,  "  he  would  inform  him  these  were  war  times,  and  folks 
must  be  on  their  guard ;  that  it  was  a  matter  of  importance  that 
people  be  examined  who  do  not  show  a  plain  front."  He  finished 
his  dissertation  by  saying  "  that  Mr.  W.  could  not  be  released  from 
custody,  as  the  captain  was  not  in  camp." 

Mr.  "VV.  told  him  "  it  was  a  matter  of  importance  that  he  be 
not  detained,  as  he  must  appear  before  the  committee  of  investi 
gation  at  Lawrence ;  "  arid,  after  a  good  deal  of  urging,  another 
examination  of  his  papers,  and  a  new  consultation  among  the 
ruffians,  it  was  decided  that  Mr.  W.  and  the  witness  should  be 
sent  under  a  guard  of  armed  men  to  Lecompton,  to  be  examined 
by  Col.  Wilkes,  commanding  at  that  time.  So,  after  a  detention 
of  an  hour  or  more,  they  were  sent  to  Lecompton,  and  delivered 
to  Col.  Wilkes.  After  an  examination  of  the  papers,  assisted  by 
a  Gen.  Cramer,  Col.  W.  told  Mr.  Weaver  he  thought  "  he  was 
entitled  to  pass  without  molestation ;  but  the  forces  in  the  terri 
tory  being  still  unorganized,  he  would  be  liable  to  interruption 
and  detention  by  the  way." 

He  told  him,  also,  "  if  he  was  hailed  by  any  of  the  parties,  to 
answer  immediately,  by  all  means,  else  he  would  certainly  be 
shot." 

At  the  request  of  Mr.  W.,  to  save  detention  by  these  parties, 
Col.  Wilkes  gave  the  following  pass  : 

"LECOMPTON,  KANSAS,  May  13,  1856. 

"To  ALL  WHOM  IT  MAY  CONCERN:  This  is  to  certify  that  I 
have  examined  the  papers  of  Mr.  J.  A.  Weaver,  in  company  with 


REDOUBLED    EFFORTS    FOR   A   NEW   INVASION.        225 

Gen.  Cramer,  and  I  am  satisfied  that  he  is  acting  under  authority 
of  the  U.  S.  House  of  Representatives,  and  should  pass  unmo 
lested.  "  WARREN  D.  WILKES, 

"  Of  South  Carolina:' 

This  is  a  South  Carolina  pass ;  and  the  party  who  arrested  Mr. 
W.  claimed  to  be  from  South  Carolina.  Wilkes  is  one  of  Buford's 
men,  a  lieutenant  in  the  band  of  ruffians.  He  is  one  of  the  self- 
constituted  regulators  in  the  territory  in  the  affairs  of  actual 
settlers ;  was  one  of  the  destroyers  of  Lawrence,  and  was  after 
wards  the  leader  of  a  gang  of  brutal  men  at  Leavenworth,  who 
arrested  peaceable  citizens  without  authority,  and  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet. 

On  the  16th  May,  as  Mr.  Stowell  was  coming  in  from  Kansas 
city  to  Lawrence,  passing  through  Franklin,  his  wagon  was 
stopped,  anil  some  boxes  of  guns  broken  open,  and  contents  taken. 
Also  a  wagon-load  of  flour  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  mar 
shal's  posi-'e. 

About  the  same  time,  Dr.  Root  and  Mr.  Mitchell,  only  a 
little  time  in  the  territory,  having  been  down  below  Lawrence  to 
look  after  some  teams  which  they  thought  were  delayed  unneces 
sarily,  on  their  return  to  Wabousa,  left  Lawrence  on  the  after 
noon  of  the  16th.  On  passing  an  encampment  of  Marshal  Don 
aldson's,  it  being  already  dark,  they  were  fired  upon  by  a  company 
of  fifteen  or  twenty  men,  who  rushed  from  a  small  cabin  near  the 
road,  shouting  and  firing  as  they  came.  They  were  taken  pris 
oners  by  them,  while  two  gentlemen  ahead  of  them,  on  fleet 
horses,  escaped  the  whizzing  balls.  Hence  the  intelligence  which 
went  over  the  country  that  Dr.  Root  and  Mr.  Mitchell  were 
killed. 

About  the  same  time,  Judge  Conway  and  P.  C.  Schuyler, 
returning  to  the  territory  from  a  tour  in  the  states,  were  taken  off 
the  William  Campbell  by  a  mob.  Their  appeal  to  the  officers  of 
the  boat  availed  them  nothing.  They  only  learned  from  them  the 
simple  fact  that  the  affair  was  a  "  matter  between  them  and  the 
mob."  The  mob  pretended  "  these  gentlemen  were  endeavoring 
to  leave  the  territory,  and  that  writs  were  out  against  them." 


226  KANSAS. 

Their  coming  into,  instead  of  going  out  of,  the  territory  was 
sufficient  to  show  the  falsity  of  such,  a  pretence,  and  they  expressed 
their  willingness  to  answer  to  any  charge  before  any  court.  The 
gentlemen  preferring  to  trust  their  safety  in  the  hands  of  friends, 
turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the  suggestions  of  one  of  the  border  ruffians, 
"  that  they  were  better  off  where  they  were  than  in  the  territory ; 
for  there  was  a  heap  of  trouble  there  now,  and,  from  what  they 
believed,  would  be  much  safer  in  Parkville."  Some  of  the  more 
respectable  people  in  Parkville  interfered,  and  procured  the 
release  of  Judge  Conway  and  Mr.  Schuyler  from  the  ringleaders. 

On  the  night  of  the  13th,  Mr.  Jenkins  and  G.  W.  Brown,  of 
Lawrence,  were  taken  prisoners  by  a  band  of  ruffians,  half-way 
between  Westport  and  Kansas  city,  on  their  way  to  Lawrence. 

Travelling  was  unsafe  in  the  territory,  bands  of  these  ruffians 
being  encamped  at  many  points.  About  the  18th,  armed  men 
were  camped  on  the  "  Big  Stranger,"  waiting  for  the  water  to 
abate  before  they  could  cross  with  their  two  brass  six-pound  how 
itzers,  and  their  ammunition  and  provision  wagons.  There  was 
the  camp  of  desperadoes  at  Lecompton,  and  bands  of  armed  men 
infesting  the  usually  travelled  route  from  Lawrence  to  Kansas 
city.  People  passing  on  the  highways  were  stopped,  searched, 
and  robbed  of  anything  which  pleased  the  invaders.  These  high 
waymen  and  freebooters  were  called  into  the  territory  by  the 
marshal's  proclamation  of  the  llth,  and  their  expenses  were  to 
be  defrayed  by  the  general  government.  Our  people  were  annoyed 
beyond  endurance.  Their  property  was  destroyed,  their  lives  in 
jeopardy,  and  their  rights  trampled  upon  by  these  vile  minions  of  a 
viler  administration.  United  States  muskets  were  put  in  the  hands 
of  these  Carolinians  and  Alabamians,  not  one  month  in  the  terri 
tory,  by  Gov.  Shannon,  thus  making  himself  a  tool  in  the  hands 
of  the  President,  to  consummate  his  infamy.  The  following  pass 
is  proof  positive  that  Gov.  Shannon  is  implicated  in  all  these 
villanies : 

"EXECUTIVE  OFFICE,  > 

LECOMPTON,  K.  T.,  May  17,  1856.  $ 

"  The  bearer  of  this  is  Jesse  Newill,  an  acquaintance  of  mine 
from  Ohio,  who  is  now  in  this  territory  with  the  view  of  looking 


REDOUBLED   EFFORTS   FOR  A  NEW  INVASION.        227 

out  for  a  situation  to  locate  a  saw-mill.  He  desires  to  examine 
the  country  and  select  a  place  well  provided  with  timber.  He  is 
accompanied  by  his  son,  John  Newill,  Joseph  Fitzsimmons,  his 
brother-in-law,  and  a  Dr.  Gamble. 

"  They  are  no  way  identified  with  the  present  troubles  in  this 
territory. 

"Now,  therefore,  I  have  to  request  all  persons  to  permit  the 
said  Jesse  Newill  and  his  comrades  to  pass  and  repass  throughout 
the  territory  without  molestation. 

"  WILSON  SHANNON, 

"  Governor  of  Kansas." 

The  following  pass  also  deserves  preservation,  as  it  emanated 
from  the  executive  department  of  the  territory.  There  are  many 
more  of  the  same  kind  afloat : 

"  let  this  man  pas  for  i  no  him  to  bee  a  law  and  abiding  man. 

"  Samuel  Salters." 

Gov.  Shannon's  pass  was  given  under  these  circumstances  :  Mr. 
Jesse  Newill,  recently  from  Ohio,  after  having  been  arrested 
several  times  in  going  near  Lecompton,  at  last  entered  the  town, 
and,  seeing  the  governor,  rode  up  to  him,  saying,  "  What  does  all 
this  mean?" 

The  governor,  falling  back  on  his  dignity,  of  which  he  has  no 
small  share  when  he  is  enjoying  a  sense  of  security,  both  from 
friends  and  foes,  said,  "  There  is  no  use  of  complaining.  .  The 
territory  is  under  martial  law,  and  a  civil  war  is  inevitable." 

The  governor  seemed  uneasy  to  get  away  from  being  questioned 
by  an  old  friend.  His  conscience,  although  of  the  gutta  percha 
kind,  might  have  given  an  occasional  twinge,  when  pressed  by  the 
close  queries  of  a  man  of  sense.  On  parting,  he  gave  Mr.  Newill 
the  above  characteristic  pass. 

Thus,  while  the  people  of  Missouri  arrest  the  leading  men  in 
the  territory,  Gov.  Shannon  accepts  their  services ;  while  several 
are  actually  indicted  upon  a  charge  of  high  treason,  —  while  the 
marshal  has  called  in  these  Missourians  to  meet  at  Lecompton  for 


228  KANSAS. 

siege  upon  Lawrence,  —  the  Washington  Union  is  out,  with  the 
bloodthirstiness  of  the  border  papers,  for  the  extermination  of  the 
free-state  men  in  Kansas.  It  expresses  its  hopes  "  that  an  exam 
ple  will  be  made  of  some  of  the  ringleaders,"  and  says,  "  It  is 
high  time  that  rebellion  and  treason  should  be  brought  to  the  bar 
of  justice."  What  could  better  express  the  purposes  of  this 
administration,  whose  real  head  is  Jefferson  Davis  and  Caleb 
Gushing  &  Co.? 

White  servitude  is  the  order  in  Kansas ;  but  the  more  galling 
the  bondage,  the  sooner  will  its  reign  be  over,  and  the  chains 
which  bind  us  will  drag  down  eternally,  deeper  than  plummet  hath 
ever  sounded,  our  infamous  oppressors.  Let  the  Union  talk  of 
"  treason  and  rebellion  "  to  a  tyrannical  usurpation  being  brought 
to  justice.  There  is  no  justice  in  Kansas.  Let  Douglas  say,  "  I 
will  subdue  you,"  and  let  this  subjugation  be  accomplished  by 
President  Pierce's  "  army  and  navy  "  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet 
and  the  murderous  rifle.  Death,  too,  may  come  at  his  hands ;  but 
with  it  the  soul  wins  immortality.  The  "  traitor  "  may  expiate 
his  love  of  freedom  on  the  scaffold  of  his  building ;  but  the  world 
will  see  in  it  the  pedestal  of  honor. 

"  For  humanity  sweeps  onward  ;  where  to-day  the  martyr  stands, 
To-morrow  crouches  Judas,  with  his  silver  in  his  hands  ; 
While  the  howling  mob  of  yesterday   in  silent  awe  return, 
To  glean  the  scattered  ashes  into  History's  golden  urn." 


CHAPTER    XYI. 

THE   ATTACK   UPON   LAWRENCE. 

SURELY  the  web  has  been  woven  around  the  little  city  of 
eighteen  months'  existence.  Its  prosperity  has  excited  the  envy 
of  the  spoiler,  and  gradually  now  the  vile  men  under  J.  B. 
Donaldson,  United  States  Marshal,  are  drawing  nearer;  the 
circle  about  the  beleaguered  town  is  continually  growing  less. 
They  come  with  United  States  authority.  The  President  seeks 
renown  in  the  bombarding  of  a  poor  little  town  on  the  far- 
western  prairies ;  and  his  hordes,  suggesting  to  all  beholders  the 
idea  of  a  resurrection  from  the  infernal  regions,  or  a  sudden  leap 
into  Dante's  Inferno,  are  gathered  here.  Gov.  Shannon  lends  his 
servility  to  the  scheme.  But  let  the  facts  be  stated;  let  the 
documents  which  passed  between  our  people  and  their  (?)  governor 
be  proof  in  the  matter. 

Rumors,  well  authenticated,  were  afloat  in  the  community  that 
large  companies  were  gathering  into  the  territory  at  different 
points ;  that  they  were  drilling  and  preparing  for  an  attack  upon 
Lawrence.  The  last  rumor  was  that  a  demand  would  be  made 
upon  the  town  for  Reeder  and  Robinson  and  others,  both  of  those 
named  already  being  absent ;  that,  if  these  were  not  given  up, 
the  town  should  be  sacked.  It  was  stated,  further,  that  a  large 
posse  would  enter  the  place,  and,  after  making  arrests,  the  posse 
would  be  disbanded  to  sack  the  town.  The  marshal's  proclama 
tion  was  issued  on  the  llth.  This  was  not  sent  to  Lawrence,  nor 
any  means  used  to  acquaint  the  people  with  the  designs  of  the 
officers.  The  people,  however,  acting  upon  the  continual  threats 
of  invasion,  called  a  meeting,  and  appointed  a  committee  of  three 
to  wait  upon  Gov.  Shannon,  and  apprize  him  of  the  real  state  of 
20 


230  KANSAS. 

affairs,  and  ask  his  interference  in  their  behalf.     The  following 
letter  was  sent  from  Lawrence  by  the  committee  to  Gov.  Shannon  : 

"  LAWRENCE  CITY,  KANSAS,  May  11,  1856. 

"  DEAR  SIR  :  The  undersigned  are  charged  with  the  duty  of 
communicating  to  your  Excellency  the  following  preamble  and 
resolutions,  adopted  by  the  citizens  of  Lawrence  at  a  public  meet 
ing  holden  at  this  place  at  seven  o'clock  this  evening,  viz. : 

"  '  Whereas  we  have  the  most  reliable  information,  from  vari 
ous  points  of  the  territory  and  the  adjoining  State  of  Missouri, 
of  the  organization  of  guerilla  bands,  who  threaten  the  destruc 
tion  of  our  town  and  its  citizens,  therefore, 

"  '  Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Topliff,  Hutchinson,  and  Roberts, 
constitute  a  committee  to  inform  his  Excellency  Gov.  Shannon  of 
these  facts,  and  to  call  upon  him,  in  the  name  of  the  people  of 
Lawrence,  for  protection  against  such  bands  by  the  United  States 
troops  at  his  disposal.' 

"  All  of  which  is  most  respectfully  submitted,  by  order  of  the 
people  of  Lawrence. 

"  Very  truly,  etc., 

"  C.  W.  TOPLIFF, 
JOHN  HUTCHINSON, 
W.  Y.  ROBERTS." 

After  Gov.  Shannon  had  held  a  consultation  with  several  of 
the  leaders  at  Lecompton,  he  returned  the  following  missive,  of 
doubtful  import : 

"  EXECUTIVE  OFFICE,  ^ 

LECOMPTON,  K.  T.,  May  12,  1856.  } 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  Your  note  of  the  llth  instant  is  received ;  and, 
in  reply,  I  have  to  state  that  there  is  no  force  around  or  approach 
ing  Lawrence,  except  the  legally  constituted  posse  of  the  United 
States  Marshal,  and  Sheriff  of  Douglas  County,  each  of  whom,  I 
am  informed,  has  a  number  of  writs  for  execution  against  persons 
now  in  Lawrence. 

"  I  shall  in  no  way  interfere  with  either  of  these'  officers  in  the 
discharge  of  their  official  duties. 


THE   ATTACK   UPON   LAWRENCE.  231 

"  If  the  citizens  of  Lawrence  submit  themselves  to  the  terri 
torial  laws,  and  aid  and  assist  the  marshal  and  sheriff  in  the 
execution  of  processes  in  their  hands,  as  all  good  citizens  are  bound 
to  do,  when  called  on,  they  or  all  such  will  entitle  themselves  to 
the  protection  of  the  law. 

"  But  so  long  as  they  keep  up  a  military  or  armed  organization 
to  resist  the  territorial  laws,  and  the  officers  charged  with  their 
execution,  I  shall  not  interfere  to  save  them  from  the  legitimate 
consequences  of  their  illegal  acts. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be 

"  Yours  with  great  respect, 

"  WILSON  SHANNON. 
"  Messrs.  C.  W.  TOPLIFF, 

JOHN  HUTCIIINSON, 
W.  Y.  ROBERTS." 

The  citizens  of  Lawrence  will  be  entitled  to  protection  while 
they  submit  to  the  territorial  laws.  He  is  very  careful,  however, 
not  to  promise  such  protection ;  and  the  non-committal  essay 
leaves  room  for  the  belief  that,  if  the  people  did  not  yield  like 
slaves  to  the  insolence  of  an  irresponsible  mob,  they  would  be 
regarded  by  him  as  outlaws,  and  be  wholly  given  over  to  his 
reckless  gang  of  desperadoes.  "  No  military  or  armed  organiza 
tion  to  resist  the  territorial  laws,  and  the  officers  charged  with 
their  execution,"  has  ever  been  formed  in  Lawrence,  which  Gov. 
Shannon  knew  well.  There  have  been  military  companies  with 
stated  drills,  and  these  have  constituted  all  the  organizations 
entered  into,  save  the  one  which  he  himself  commissioned,  gladly 
availing  himself  of  its  protection  from  the  lawless  mob  he  had 
precipitated  upon  us. 

On  Tuesday,  the  13th  of  May,  one  of  the  marshal's  proclama 
tions  was  brought  into  town,  and  its  charges  were  so  entirely 
false  and  cruel  in  their  intent,  that  the  citizens  immediately  came 
together  in  public  meeting,  Judge  W.  presiding,  and  the  following 
resolutions  were  adopted  : 

"  Whereas,  by  a  proclamation  to  the  people  of  Kansas  Terri- 


KANSAS. 

tory,  by  J.  B.  Donaldson,  United  States  Marshal  for  said  territory, 
issued  on  the  llth  day  of  May,  1856,  it  is  alleged  that  certain 
'  judicial  writs  of  arrest  have  been  directed  to  him  by  the  First 
District  Court  of  the  United  States,  etc..  to  be  executed  within 
the  County  of  Douglas,  and  that  an  attempt  to  execute  them  by 
the  United  States  Deputy  Marshal  was  violently  resisted  by  ~ 
large  number  of  the  citizens  of  Lawrence,  and  that  there  is  every 
reason  to  believe  that  any  attempt  to  execute  these  writs  will  be 
resisted  by  a  large  body  of  armed  men,'  therefore, 

"  Resolved,  by  this  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Lawrence, 
held  this  13th  day  of  May,  1856,  that  the  allegations  and 
charges  against  us,  contained  in  the  aforesaid  proclamation,  are 
wholly  untrue  in  fact,  and  the  conclusion  entirely  false  which  is 
drawn  therefrom  ;  the  aforesaid  deputy  marshal  was  resisted  in 
no  manner  whatsoever,  nor  by  any  person  whatever,  in  the  execu 
tion  of  said  writs,  except  by  him  whose  arrest  the  said  deputy 
marshal  was  seeking  to  make ;  and  that  we  now,  as  we  have  done 
heretofore,  declare  our  willingness  and  our  determination,  without 
resistance,  to  acquiesce  in  the  service  upon  us  of  any  judicial 
writs  against  us  by  the  United  States  Marshal  for  Kansas  Terri 
tory,  and  will  furnish  him  a  posse  for  that  purpose,  if  so  requested ; 
but  that  we  are  ready  to  resist,  if  need  be,  unto  death,  the  ravages 
and  desolation  of  an  invading  mob. 

"  J.  A.  WAKEFIELD,  President. 

"  JOHN  HUTCHINSON,  Secretary." 

The  same  evening  (Tuesday,  the  13th)  Mr.  Cox,  a  pro-slavery 
man,  of  Lawrence,  was  requested  by  one  of  our  leading  citizens 
to  ascertain  from  Marshal  Donaldson  if  any  peaceable  arrange 
ment  could  be  entered  into  to  prevent  his  monster  posse  from 
entering  the  town.  Mr.  Cox  remained  all  night  with  Donaldson, 
and,  on  his  return  to  Lawrence  the  next  morning,  reported  the 
following  conversation  as  having  passed  between  himself  and 
Marshal  D.  : 

Mr.  Cox  asked,  "Will  you  be  able  to  control  these  men,  if 
they  enter  the  town  ?  " 

The  marshal  replied,  "  I  don't  know  that  I  will." 


THE   ATTACK   UPON   LAWRENCE.  233 

Mr.  Cox  then  asked,  "  Can  anything  be  done,  on  the  part  of 
Lawrence,  to  prevent  jour  coming  in  with  so  large  a  force  ?  "  He 
replied,  "  The  three  following  demands  must  be  complied  with, 
before  I  shall  consent  not  to  enter  Lawrence  with  all  my  force. 
First.  That  every  man,  against  whom  a  warrant  is  issued,  shall  be 
surrendered.  Second.  All  munitions  of  war,  in  Lawrence,  shall 
be  delivered  up.  Third.  That  the  citizens  of  Lawrence  shall 
pledge  themselves  implicitly  to  obey  the  present  enactments  of 
Kansas  —  test-oaths,  taxes,  and  all." 

Upon  the  receipt  of  this  reply,  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  the 
citizens  immediately  held  a  public  meeting.  That  no  means  should 
be  left  untried  for  the  protection  of  the  citizens,  —  that  the  mar 
shal  should  have  no  grounds  for  misapprehension  in  reference  to 
the  intentions  of  the  people,  —  the  following  letter  was  prepared 
and  sent  to  the  marshal,  by  Mr.  Cox  : 

"  LAVTREXCE,  May  14,  1856. 

"  J.  B.  DONALDSON,  U.  S.  MARSHAL  FOR  K.  T.  —  Dear  Sir: 
We  have  seen  a  proclamation  issued  by  yourself,  dated  llth  May 
inst.,  and  also  have  reliable  information  this  morning,  that  large 
bodies  of  armed  men,  in  pursuance  of  your  proclamation,  have 
assembled  in  the  vicinity  of  Lawrence. 

"  That  there  may  be  no  misunderstanding,  we  beg  leave  to  ask 
respectfully,  that  we  may  be  reliably  informed  what  are  the  de 
mands  against  us.  We  desire  to  state,  most  truthfully  and  ear 
nestly,  that  no  opposition  whatever  will  now,  or  at  any  future 
time,  be  offered  to  the  execution  of  any  legal  process  by  your 
self,  or  any  person  acting  for  you.  We  also  pledge  ourselves  to 
assist  you,  if  called  upon,  in  the  execution  of  any  legal  process. 

"  We  declare  ourselves  to  be  order-loving  and  law-abiding  citi 
zens  ,  and  only  await  an  opportunity  to  test  our  fidelity  to  the 
laws  of  the  country,  the  constitution,  and  the  Union. 

"  We  are  informed,  also,  that  those  men  collecting  about  Law 
rence  openly  declare  that  their  intention  is  to  destroy  the  town, 
and  drive  off  the  citizens.  Of  course  we  do  not  believe  you  give 
any  countenance  to  such  threats  ;  but,  in  view  of  the  excited  state 
of  the  public  mind,  we  ask  protection  of  the  constituted  authori 
ties  of  the  government,  declaring  ourselves  in  readiness  to  cooper- 
20* 


234  KANSAS. 

ate  with  them  for  the  maintenance  of  the  peace,  order,  and  quiet 
of  the  community  in  which  we  live. 

"  Very  respectfully, 

"  ROBERT  MORROW, 
LYMAN  ALLEN, 
JOHN  HUTCIIINSON." 

On  the  morning  of  the  fifteenth,  Mr.  John  Hutchinson  was 
bearer  of  a  despatch  to  Col.  Sumner,  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  re 
questing  him,  if  he  had  no  power  to  assist  the  citizens  in  defend 
ing  the  town,  to  station  a  body  of  troops  in  the  vicinity,  that  their 
presence  might  act  as  a  preventative  to  the  sanguinary  measures 
with  which  the  mob  threaten  it.  The  majority  of  the  investigat 
ing  committee  also  asked  for  the  interference  of  Col.  Sumner,  on 
the  sixteenth.  To  them  both  the  reply  was  similar  :  he  wished 
he  could  do  something,  but  he  had  no  power  to  move  without 
orders.  Early  Thursday  forenoon,  the  fifteenth,  Lieut.  Gov.  W. 
Y.  Roberts,  C.  W.  Babcock,  and  Josiah  Miller,  went  to  Lecomp- 
ton  to  receive  Marshal  Donaldson's  answer.  The  following  is  the 
document : 

"  OFFICE  OF  THE  U.  S.  MARSHAL, 
LECOMPTON,  K.  T.,  May  15,  1856. 

"  MESSRS.  G.  W.  DIETZLER  AND  J.  H.  GREEN,  LAWRENCE,  K.  T. : 
On  yesterday  I  received  a  communication  addressed  to  me,  signed 
by  one  of  you  as  president,  and  the  other  as  secretary,  purport 
ing  to  have  been  adopted  by  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Law 
rence,  held  on  yesterday  morning.  After  speaking  of  a  proclama 
tion  issued  by  myself,  you  state,  '  That  there  may  be  no  misunder 
standing,  we  beg  leave  to  ask  respectfully,  that  we  may  be  relia 
bly  informed,  what  are  the  demands  against  us.  We  desire  most 
truthfully  and  earnestly  to  declare  that  no  opposition  whatever 
will  now,  or  at  any  future  time,  be  offered  to  the  execution  of  any 
legal  process  by  yourself,  or  any  person  acting  for  you.  We  also 
pledge  ourselves  to  assist  you,  if  called  upon,  in  the  execution  of 
any  legal  process,'  etc. 

"  From  your  professed  ignorance  of  the  demands  against  you,  I 
must  conclude  that  you  are  STRANGERS,  and  not  CITIZENS,  of  Law- 


THE   ATTACK   UPON   LAWRENCE.  235 

rence,  or  of  recent  date,  or  been  absent  for  some  time ;  more  par 
ticularly  when  an  attempt  was  made  by  my  deputy  to  execute  the 
process  of  the  First  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  Kan 
sas  Territory,  against  ex-Gov.  Reeder,  when  he  made  a  speech  in 
the  room  an^  in  the  presence  of  the  congressional  committee,  and 
denied  the  power  and  authority  of  said  court,  and  threatened  the 
life  of  said  deputy,  if  he  attempted  to  execute  said  process,  which 
speech  and  defiant  threats  were  loudly  applauded  by  some  one  or 
two  hundred  of  the  citizens  of  Lawrence,  who  had  assembled  at 
the  room  on  learning  the  business  of  the  marshal,  and  made  such 
hostile  demonstrations  that  the  deputy  thought  he  and  his  small 
posse  would  endanger  their  lives  in  executing  said  process. 

"  Your  declaration  that  you  «  will  truthfully  and  earnestly  offer 
now,  or  at  any  future  time,  no  opposition  to  the  execution  of  any 
legal  process,'  etc.,  is  indeed  difficult  to  understand.  May  I  ask, 
gentlemen,  what  has  produced  this  wonderful  change  in  the  minds 
of  the  people  of  Lawrence?  Have  their  eyes  been  suddenly 
opened,  so  that  they  are  now  able  to  see  that  there  are  laws  in 
force  in  Kansas  Territory,  which  should  be  obeyed  ?  Or  is  it  that, 
just  now,  those  for  whom  I  have  writs  have  sought  refuge  else 
where  ?  Or  it  may  possibly  be  that  you  now,  as  heretofore,  ex 
pect  to  screen  yourselves  behind  the  word  '  legal,'  so  significantly 
used  by  you.  How  am  I  to  rely  on  your  pledges,  when  I  am  well 
aware  that  the  whole  population  of  Lawrence  is  armed  and  drilled, 
and  the  town  fortified  —  when,  too,  I  recollect  the  meetings  and  reso 
lutions  adopted  in  Lawrence,  and  elsewhere  in  the  territory,  openly 
defying  the  laws  and  the  officers  thereof,  and  threatening  to  resist 
the  same  to  a  bloody  issue,  and  recently  verified  in  the  attempted 
assassination  of  Sheriff  Jones,  while  in  the  discharge  of  his  official 
duties  in  Lawrence  ?  Are  you  strangers  to  all  these  things?  Surely 
you  must  be  strangers  at  Lawrence.  If  no  outrages  have  been 
committed  by  the  citizens  of  Lawrence  against  the  laws  of  the 
land,  they  need  not  fear  any  posse  of  mine.  But  I  must  take  the 
liberty  of  executing  all  processes  in  my  hands,  as  the  U.  S.  Mar 
shal,  in  my  own  time  and  manner,  and  shall  only  use  such  power 
as  is  authorized  by  law.  You  say  you  call  upon  the  constituted 
authority  of  the  government  for  protection.  This  indeed  sounds 


236  KANSAS. 

strange,  coming  from  a  large  body  of  men,  armed  with  Sharpe's 
rifles  and  other  implements  of  war,  bound  together  by  oaths  and 
pledges  to  resist  the  laws  of  the  government  they  call  on  for  pro 
tection.  All  persons  in  Kansas  Territory,  without  regard  to  loca 
tion,  who  honestly  submit  to  the  constituted  authorities,  will  ever 
find  me  ready  to  aid  in  protecting  them  ;  and  all  who  seek  to  resist 
the  laws  of  the  land,  and  turn  traitors  to  their  country,  will  find 
me  aiding  in  enforcing  the  laws,  if  not  as  an  officer,  as  a  citizen. 
"  Respectfully  yours, 

"  J.  B.  DONALDSON, 
"  United  States  Marshal  of  Kansas  Territory" 

It  is  unnecessary  to  characterize  it  as  most  heartless  and  insult 
ing.  Let  its  spirit  of  revengeful  exultation  strike  terror  into  the 
heart  of  any,  who,  by  word  or  deed,  would  aid  the  purposes  of  the 
slave  power,  which,  like  the  deadly  upas-tree,  casts  blight  and  mil 
dew  over  all  within  its  shadow,  while  its  already  monstrous  growth 
threatens  to  strike  the  blow  at  the  foot  of  all  republican  liberty. 

G-ov.  Shannon  treated  the  messengers  from  Lawrence  coldly, 
and  would  say  nothing  to  them.  While  Messrs.  Roberts  and  Par- 
rott  were  there,  Miller  was  accosted  by  Major  Clark,  to  whom  Miller 
extended  his  hand  ;  but,  without  taking  it,  the  murderer  of  Barber 
said,  "  D — n  you,  I  won't  shake  hands  with  you  !  I  believe  you 
published  an  article  in  your  paper  about  me.  I  will  settle  with 
you  to-night." 

As  they  were  returning  to  Lawrence,  a  party  came  out  upon 
them,  and  asked  if  Miller  was  among  them,  and  if  he  was  from 
South  Carolina.  Upon  this,  Mr.  Miller  replying  that  he  was,  one 
of  the  banditti  said,  "  Come  with  us.  I  am  from  South  Carolina, 
and  we  have  an  account  to  settle  with  you  to-night."  Mr.  Miller 
showed  the  pass  the  marshal  had  given  him  ;  but  the  leader  said 
"  he  did  n't  care  a  d — n  about  the  marshal." 

They  seized  and  dragged  him  away,  in  spite  of  the  protestations 
of  Messrs.  Babcock  and  Roberts,  and  would  not  allow  them  to 
accompany  their  friend. 

Mr.  Miller  was  tried  with  a  mock  trial  by  these  South  Carolini 
ans,  Dr.  Stringfellow  presiding  as  judge.  The  charge  was  one 


THE  ATTACK  UPON   LAWRENCE.  237 

of  treason  against  South  Carolina,  and  Mr.  Miller  was  released, 
minus  his  money,  revolvers,  and  horse. 

The  communication  of  the  marshal  being  received  in  Lawrence, 
all  hope  of  safety  from  any  action  of  his  was  at  once  abandoned. 
The  evident  design  of  the  authorities  was  to  force  the  people  into 
resistance  to  the  United  States  authorities,  in  acts  of  self-preser 
vation,  or  to  gain  possession  of  the  town  by  process  of  law,  and 
then  give  it  up  to  unrestrained  outrage.  The  officers  showed  no 
disposition  to  restrain  the  lawless  acts  daily  committed  by  their 
"  legally  authorized  militia,"  and  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose 
they  desired  to  do  so. 

At  this  time,  beside  the  breaking  open  of  goods,  robbing  and 
plundering,  thirty  men  had  been  arrested  without  any  legal  pro 
cess,  and  treated  with  every  indignity,  while  some  still  remained 
at  the  mercy  of  the  robbers.  The  people  of  Lawrence,  still  wish 
ing  peace,  made  one  more  effort  with  the  marshal,  and  on  Satur 
day,  the  17th,  sent  him  the  following  letter : 

"  J.  B.  DONALDSON,  U.  S.  MARSHAL  OF  K.  T.  —  Dear  Sir  :  We 
desire  to  call  your  attention,  as  citizens  of  Kansas,  to  the  fact  that 
a  large  force  of  armed  men  have  collected  in  the  vicinity  of  Law 
rence,  and  are  engaged  in  committing  depredations  upon  our  citi 
zens  —  stopping  wagons,  arresting,  threatening,  and  robbing  unof 
fending  travellers  upon  the  highway  —  breaking  open  boxes  of 
merchandise,  and  appropriating  their  contents  —  have  slaughtered 
cattle,  and  terrified  many  of  the  women  and  children. 

"  We  have  also  learned  from  Gov.  Shannon,  that  '  there  are  no 
armed  forces  in  the  vicinity  of  this  place,  but  the  regularly  con 
stituted  militia  of  the  territory.'  This  is  to  ask  you  if  you  rec 
ognize  them  as  your  posse,  and  feel  responsible  for  their  acts.  If 
you  do  not,  we  hope  and  trust  you  will  prevent  a  repetition  of  such 
acts,  and  give  peace  to  the  settlers. 

"  On  behalf  of  the  citizens, 

"  C.  W.  BABCOCK, 
LYMAN  ALLEN, 
J.  A.  PERKY." 


238  KANSAS. 

Col.  Eldridge,  with  his  brother,  being  desirous,  if  possible,  to 
save  the  new  hotel,  of  which  he  was  the  proprietor,  went  to  Le- 
compton  on  the  18th,  Sunday.  Gov.  Shannon  talked  with  them 
of  sending  for  the  troops,  to  have  them  stationed  at  Lawrence,  to 
protect  the  citizens  from  the  marshal's  mob,  while  they  made  the 
arrests ;  their  arms  to  be  given  into  the  keeping  of  the  troops, 
until  the  search  was  over,  and  the  posse  gone.  This  proposition 
wns  to  be  made  to  the  people  of  Lawrence,  and  the  Messrs.  El 
dridge  were  to  return  on  the  morrow  to  report  their  decision.  This 
they  did.  The  proposal  had  been  acceded  to  by  the  citizens  of 
Lawrence. 

Grov.  Shannon  declared,  on  the  19th,  that  their  arms  must  be 
delivered  to  the  posse ;  that  the  hotel  and  printing-presses  must 
be  destroyed;  else — let  the  reason  of  this  wise  execution  of  the 
law  be  taken  note  of — "the  South  Carolinians  will  not  be  satis 
fied."  The  Messrs.  Eldridge  immediately  replied,  that  "  This  the 
people  of  Lawrence  will  never  do  ;  they  will  fight  first."  When 
this  partisan  governor,  the  weak  tool  of  South  Carolina  and  Mis 
souri,  leaving  the  room,  said,  "  Then  war  it  is,  by  Gr — d !  " 

On  Monday  also  word  came  into  Lawrence  of  the  murder  of  a 
young  man  by  the  name  of  Jones,  the  support  of  his  widowed 
mother.  He  had  been  to  Lawrence  for  a  bag  of  meal,  and,  return 
ing,  was  ordered  to  halt,  by  a  band  of  the  marshal 's  posse,  near 
Blanton's  Bridge.  He  obeyed  the  order  of  the  ruffianly  assassins, 
and  they  disarmed  him.  Then  they  ordered  him  to  proceed,  and 
as  he  did  so,  two  of  the  posse  exclaimed,  "  Let 's  shoot  the  d — d 
abolitionist !  "  Suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  the  balls  sped  on 
their  swift  errand,  and  the  recording  angel  wrote  against  the 
names  of  some  high  in  power  another  murder. 

Several  young  men  immediately  left  Lawrence  to  go  to  the  spot 
where  young  Jones  fell  a  victim  to  the  bloody  tools  of  slavery ; 
and  about  a  mile  from  Lawrence  they  met  two  men  from  West- 
port.  Another  ball  did  the  bidding  of  the  slave  interest,  and 
another  witness  appeared  against  its  supporters  in  the  high  court 
where  perjury  enters  not,  and  packed  juries  are  unknown. 

The  body  of  young  Stewart,  so  lately  come  among  us,  was 
brought  into  town,  and  laid  in  the  hotel.  So  sudden  was  his  pas- 


THE  ATTACK  UPON  LAWRENCE.  239 

sage  from  this  to  the  unseen  life,  that  the  placid  countenance  wore, 
not  the  aspect  of  death,  but  the  beautiful  repose  of  a  dreamy  sleep. 

Illinois  furnished  the  first  victim.  Will  she  hear  the  startled 
cry  of  young  Jones,  "  0  God,  I  am  shot !  "  and  the  desolate 
plaint  of  the  widowed  one,  now  mourning  like  Israel's  singer,  "  My 
son,  my  son,  would  God  I  had  died  for  thee  "  ?  Will  she  do  her 
uttermost  to  strike  down  the  black  piratical  flag,  borne  aloft  by  her 
traitorous  son,  continually  hissing,  "  I  will  subdue  you  "  ? 

New  York,  in  the  murder  of  one  of  her  young  men,  is  reminded 
of  the  peril  of  all  who  bow  not  their  knee  to  the  Moloch  of 
slavery. 

The  Messrs.  E.  returned  to  Lawrence.  The  people  still  loving 
the  United  States  government,  and  having  declared  that  they  would 
never  resist  its  authority,  although  the  tyranny  of  the  present 
administration  is  without  its  parallel  in  history,  they  refused  all 
the  proffered  aid  of  the  neighboring  settlements,  notwithstanding 
they  well  knew  that  with  a  small  force  they  could  have  wiped  out 
all  these  "  territorial  bands  of  militia  "  as  easily  as  the  melting 
away  of  the  mist  before  the  sun-rising. 

It  was  necessary  that  the  peace  should  be  preserved  under  all 
these  provocations,  that  the  whole  country  might  realize  the  sin 
cerity  of  their  declarations  to  obey  the  general  government,  not 
withstanding  the  upholders  of  the  administration  have  so  loudly 
stigmatized  them  as  "  traitors  "  and  "  rebels."  It  was  necessary  that 
the  whole  country  should  be  convinced  of  the  real  meaning  of  the 
words,  "  enforcing  the  laws,"  used  so  often  by  United  States  offi 
cials  in  the  territory,  as  well  as  at  Washington. 

The  proposition  was  made  to  have  men  armed,  and  at  a  proper 
distance  from  Lawrence  to  protect  the  inhabitants,  should  any  out 
rages  be  attempted  after  the  arrests  were  made.  This  seemed 
plausible ;  but  would  the  apathetic,  money-loving  North  believe 
this  was  the  real  object  for  which  any  means  of  defence  had  been 
prepared  ?  Would  not  the  border  ruffian  papers  in  the  North,  even 
the  few  which  taint  the  moral  atmosphere  of  fair  New  England, 
howl  with  another  cry  of  rebellion  in  Kansas  ?  So  the  people  of 
Kansas  feared ;  and  the  cool,  calm  heads  of  Lawrence  decided, 
while  the  pale  faces  of  two  unburied  victims  attested  to  the  malig- 


240  KANSAS. 

nancy  of  the  slave  power,  and  warned  them  of  the  imminency  of 
their  own  peril,  that,  come  outrage,  pillage  and  death,  at  the  bid 
ding  of  United  States  officials,  they  would  occupy  a  right  position 
before  the  American  people,  and  before  wondering  Europe,  who 
sees  freedom  lie  bleeding  in  a  boasted  republic. 

Do  any  charge  them  with  cowardice?  Let  them  leave  their 
quiet  homes,  where  just  laws  hold  wicked  men  in  check,  and  the 
public  safety  is  inviolate,  and  dwell  where  continued  outrage  and 
murder  stalk  abroad  in  the  light  of  day, —  where  the  United  States 
government  counsels  violence,  and  is  the  real  perpetrator  of  these 
wrongs, —  and  then,  removed  from  the  help  of  friends,  with  hordes 
of  these  vile  men  threatening  their  destruction,  their  extermina 
tion,  lay  by  all  means  of  self-defence,  and  with  the  calm  spirit 
of  endurance  wait  the  issue.  Is  there  not  rather  the  sublimest 
courage  in  the  act,  and  a  beautiful,  silent  expression  of  their  faith 
in  the  eternal  law  of  right ;  that  in  reality  "  our  wrongs  will  be 
our  strength  ?  "  Thus  the  people  thought,  and,  laying  by  their  arms 
in  safe  places,  they  waited  the  action  of  the  United  States  Mar 
shal. 

Tuesday,  the  20th,  was  a  still,  calm  day.  0  how  calm  it  was  ! 
The  hurrying  bands  of  horsemen,  brutal  in  their  aspect,  and  uncouth, 
that  had  been  for  days  flying  over  the  prairies,  making  a  blot  on 
creation's  fair  face,  were  nowhere  to  be  seen.  No  more  the  vile 
men,  in  companies  of  two,  three,  or  more,  came  spying  about  the 
dwelling  on  Mt.  Oread,  to  ask  for  water,  and  saying  "  The  head  of 
the  house  is  not  at  home  ?  "  knowing  well  by  what  acts  of  villany 
he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Lexington,  and  was  yet  a  prisoner.  So 
perfect  was  the  semblance  of  quiet  and  peace,  that  a  little  party, 
who  sat  in  the  evening's  twilight,  in  front  of  the  same  dwelling, 
wondered  if  indeed  the  threatened  evil  might  not  again  pass  by, 
as  on  so  many  previous  occasions.  A  smaller  guard  than  usual 
were  actually  on  the  watch.  But,  when  the  morning  sun  arose  on 
the  21st  of  May,  1856,  hordes  of  men,  armed  with  United  States 
muskets,  were  marshalled  upon  Mt.  Oread.  While  wronged  inno 
cence  had  slept  quietly,  they  in  the  darkness  had  gained  the  height. 
The  fair  summit  of  Oread  never  before  witnessed  such  an  assem 
blage  of  creatures  calling  themselves  men.  Humanity  stands 


THE  ATTACK  UPON  LAWRENCE.         241 

aghast  at  the  idea  of  brotherhood  with  such  a  ragged,  filthy, besot 
ted  set.  But  it  is  only  tools  the  slave  power  wants,  and  these 
could  steal,  plunder  and  kill.  What  more  does  the  administration 
ask  of  its  supporters  in  crushing  Kansas  ?  If  peace  had  been 
desired,  the  United  States  troops  would  still  have  been  called  into 
service,  for  in  no  instance  had  resistance  been  offered  them.  Col. 
Sumner  was  not  the  officer  whom  Gov.  Shannon  dared  ask  to  bat 
ter  down  a  civilized  town,  and  destroy  presses ;  and  his  soldiers 
have  the  hearts  of  men  in  their  bosoms,  and,  with  too  little  alacrity 
to  please  government  officials  in  Kansas,  have  they  hunted  down 
peaceable  men.  Hence  the  governor  left  them  at  Leavenworth, 
and  relied  upon  his  mongrel  crew  of  Carolinians,  Alabamians,  and 
Missourians,  as  better  instruments  to  do  his  bidding.  This  is  why, 
on  the  last  week  of  spring,  the  morning  air  freighted  with  perfume 
of  flowers,  and  the  carol  of  birds,  on  Mt.  Oread,  was  minglea  with 
oaths  and  ribald  songs,  as  it  ascended  to  heaven.  Between 
the  hours  of  eight  and  nine  o'clock  a  part  of  this  band  moved 
down  from  Capitol  Hill,  above  our  house,  nearer  the  town,  upon  the 
table  land  where  the  house  stood.  Hunners  were  sent  down  to 
Massachusetts-street  in  the  forenoon,  and  they  reported,  on  their 
return  to  the  hill,  "  All  quiet  in  Lawrence;  the  few  men  there 
busy  about  their  usual  employments."  The  five  hundred  men  on 
Mt.  Oread  had  divided  into  two  parties,  one  of  which  surrounded 
our  house  ;  the  other  planted  their  cannon  on  the  brow  of  the  hill. 
About  eleven  o'clock,  TV.  P.  Fain,  United  States  Deputy  Marshal, 
with  eight  men,  went  into  the  town.  They  went  directly  to  the 
hotel,  and  were  respectfully  received.  The  marshal  summoned 
four  prominent  citizens  of  Lawrence  to  assist  him  in  arresting 
others  of  our  citizens.  Without  resistance,  Judge  Gr.  TV.  Smith 
and  Gr.  TV.  Dietzler  were  arrested.  Col.  Eldridge  had  but  just 
removed  his  family  to  Lawrence,  and  this  was  the  first  public  din 
ner  given  in  the  hotel.  Marshal  Fain,  with  his  posse  and  prison 
ers,  partook  of  the  hospitality  of  the  house.  Col.  Eldridge  then 
took  the  prisoners  and  a  part  of  the  posse  to  our  house,  which  had 
been  taken  possession  of,  by  the  "  legally  authorized  militia,"  for 
their  head-quarters.  The  United  States  Marshal  then  dismissed 
his  monster  posse  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  horsemen,  and  five 
21 


242  KANSAS. 

hundred  infantry,  telling  them  "  he  had  no  further  use  for  them, 
but  Sheriff  Jones  has  writs  to  execute,  and  they  were  at  liberty  to 
organize  as  his  posse." 

Sheriff  Jones,  who,  through  all  the  border  papers,  had  been 
reported  "  dead,"  and  "  dying,"  rode  forward,  and  was  received 
with  yells  of  applause.  He  spoke  to  the  motley  group  of  his 
attempted  assassination,  and  informed  them  of  certain  writs  in 
his  hands,  and  asked  their  aid. 

About  one  o'clock,  at  the  head  of  a  posse  of  twenty  or  twenty- 
five  mounted  men,  armed  with  United  States  muskets  and  bayo 
nets,  this  immortal  sheriff  rode  into  Lawrence,  to  the  door  of 
the  hotel,  and  asked  for  Gen.  -Pomeroy.  This  gentleman  soon 
answering  the  summons,  Jones  said,  ."I  have  been  resisted  sev 
eral  times  in  this  place,  and  attempts  have  been  made  to  assas 
sinate  me.  Now  I  am  determined  to  execute  the  law,  if  it  costs 
me  my  life.  I  demand  of  you,  as  the  most  prominent  man  in  the 
place,  the  surrender  of  all  the  cannon  and  Sharpe's  rifles  you 
have ; "  and,  taking  out  his  watch,  he  added,  "  I  give  you  five 
minutes  to  decide  whether  you  will  give  them  up."  He  said, 
moreover,  "I  am  authorized  to  make  this  demand  by  the  First 
District  Court  of  the  United  States." 

Gen.  Pomeroy  went  to  the  committee  room,  and,  returning  in  a 
few  minutes,  said,  "The  cannon  will  be  delivered  up,  but  the  rifles 
are  private  property,  and  will  be  retained."  The  cannon  was 
taken  out  of  its  safe  retreat  by  Gen.  Pomeroy.  Cheerfully,  until 
then,  our  people  had  looked  on;  but  it  was  too  humiliating  to  give 
up  this  brass  six-pounder,  which  had  been  welcomed  with  shouts, 
during  the  fall  invasion,  strengthening  their  means  of  defence 
when  the  peril  was  imminent.  The  curses  of  the  few  free-state 
boys  yet  remaining  in  town  (most  having  left  when  they  found  no 
defence  was  to  be  made)  were  muttered,  but  deep,  and  the  dis 
satisfaction  was  general. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  forces,  variously  estimated  from  five 
hundred  to  eight  hundred,  had  been  marched  down  to  the  base 
of  the  hiil  and  formed  into  a  hollow  square.  Gen.  D.  R.  Atchi- 
son  made  the  following  speech,  which  was  received  by  the  unceas 
ing  yells  of  the  crowd : 


THE   ATTACK    UPON   LAWRENCE.  243 

"  Boys,  this  day  I  am  a  Kickapoo  Ranger,  by  G — d !  This  day 
we  have  entered  Lawrence  with  Southern  Rights  inscribed  upon 
our  banner,  and  not  one  d— d  abolitionist  dared  to  fire  a  gun. 

"  Now,  boys,  this  is  the  happiest  day  of  my  life.  We  have 
entered  that  d— d  town,  and  taught  the  d— d  abolitionists  a 
Southern  lesson  that  they  will  remember  until  the  day  they  die. 
And  now,  boys,  we  will  go  in  again,  with  our  highly  honorable 
Jones,  and  test  the  strength  of  that  d— d  Free-State  Hotel,  and 
teach  the  ^Emigrant  Aid  Company  that  Kansas  shall  be  ours. 
Boys,  ladies  should,  and  I  hope  will,  be  respected  by  every  gentle 
man.  But,  when  a  woman  takes  upon  herself  the  garb  of  a 
soldier,  by  carrying  a  Sharpe's  rifle,  then  she  is  no  longer  worthy 
of  respect.  Trample  her  under  your  feet  as  you  would  a  snake  ! 

"  Come  on,  boys  !  Now  do  your  duty  to  yourselves  and  your 
Southern  friends. 

"  Your  duty,  I  know  you  will  do.  If  one  man  or  woman  dare 
stand  before  you,  blow  them  to  h— 1  with  a  chunk  of  cold  lead." 

As  soon  as  he  had  concluded,  the  militia  moved  towards  the 
town  in  solid  eolumn,  until  near  the  hotel,  when  the  advance  com 
pany  halted.  Jones  told  Col.  Eldridge  the  hotel  must  be  de 
stroyed;  he  was  acting  under  orders;  he  had  writs  issued  by  the 
First  District  Court  of  the  United  States  to  destroy  the  Free- 
State  Hotel,  and  the  offices  of  the  Herald  of  Freedom  and 
Free  State.  The  grand  jury  at  Lecompton  had  indicted  them 
as  nuisances,  and  the  court  had  ordered  them  to  be  destroyed. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  such  indictment : 

"  The  Grand  Jury  sitting  for  the  adjourned  term  of  the  First 
District  Court,  in  and  for  the  County  of  Douglas,  in  the  Territory  of 
Kansas,  beg  leave  to  report  to  the  Honorable  Court  that,  from  evi 
dence  laid  before  them  showing  that  the  newspaper  known  as  The 
Herald  of  Freedom,  published  at  the  town  of  Lawrence,  has  from 
time  to  time  issued  publications  of  the  most  inflammatory  and 
seditious  character  —  denying  the  legality  of  the  territorial 
authorities;  addressing  and  commanding  forcible  resistance  to 
the  same  ;  demoralizing  the  popular  mind,  and  rendering  life  and 
property  unsafe,  even  to  the  extent  of  advising  assassination  as  a 
last  resort. 


244  KANSAS. 

"  Also,  that  the  paper  known  as  The  Kansas  Free  State  has 
been  similarly  engaged,  and  has  recently  reported  the  resolutions 
of  a  public  meeting  in  Johnson  County,  in  this  territory,  in 
which  resistance  to  the  territorial  laws  even  unto  blood  has  been 
agreed  upon.  And  that  we  respectfully  recommend  their  abate 
ment  as  a  nuisance.  Also,  that  we  are  satisfied  that  the  building 
known  as  the  '  Free-State  Hotel,'  in  Lawrence,  has  been  con 
structed  with  the  view  to  military  occupation  and  defence,  regu 
larly  parapeted  and  portholed  for  the  use  of  cannon  and  small 
arms,  and  could  only  have  been  designed  as  a  stronghold  of 
resistance  to  law,  thereby  endangering  the  public  safety  and  en 
couraging  rebellion  and  sedition  in  this  country,  and  respectfully 
recommend  that  steps  be  taken  whereby  this  nuisance  may  be 
removed. 

"  OWEN  0.  STEWART,  Foreman" 

Jones  gave  Col.  Eldridge  from  that  time  —  about  half  past  three 
o'clock — until  five  o'clock  to  remove  his  family  and  furniture, 
which  it  had  taken  weeks  to  put  in  order.  Seeing  the  impossi 
bility  of  removing  the  furniture,  Col.  Eldridge  said,  "  he  had 
bought  the  furniture  to  furnish  the  hotel,  not  to  stand  in  the 
streets."  Longer  time  for  the  removal  being  denied,  he  said, 
"  Give  me  time  to  remove  my  family  (a  sick  daughter  being  of 
the  number),  that  is  all  I  ask."  A  part  of  the  furniture  was 
thrown  out  by  the  rabble,  mirrors  and  marble-top  tables  being 
thrown  from  the  windows.  The  house  had  been  furnished  at  an 
expense  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  was  by  far  the  most  elegant 
house  west  of  St.  Louis.  The  cellar  was  stored  with  provisions, 
advantage  having  been  taken  of  the  high  water  in  the  Kansas  to 
bring  up  several  months'  supply. 

The  posse,  growing  weary  of  removing  furniture,  even  in  the 
expeditious  manner  of  dropping  it  from  the  windows,  began  to 
ransack  drawers,  cupboards,  and  cellar,  carrying  with  them  boxes 
of  cigars,  wines,  oysters,  sardines,  cans  of  fruit,  etc. 

This  "  legally  organized  militia "  came  into  Lawrence  with 
banners  flying.  We  thank  them  heartily,  that  the  United  States 
flag  was  not  desecrated  by  waving  over  their  pollution.  They 


THE  ATTACK  UPON  LAWRENCE.          245 

had  chosen  their  banners  with  singular  appropriateness.  One 
was  a  white  flag  with  black  stripes,  and  one  had  a  white  star  on  a 
red  surface.  This  banner  bore  the  inscription  "Southern  Rights," 
and  on  the  opposite  side  was  "  South  Carolina  "  in  black  paint. 
Another  flag  had,  in  blue  letters  on  a  white  ground, 

"  Let  Yankees  tremble,  abolitionists  fall, 
Our  motto  is  give  Southern  Rights  to  all." 

The  precise  bearing  of  these  mottoes  upon  Marshal  Donaldson's 
writs  has  not  yet  been  explained. 

The  Free  State  office  was  first  destroyed,  the  press  being 
thrown  into  the  river,  while  exchange  papers  and  books  were 
thrown  into  the  street,  and  destroyed.  The  types  of  the  Her' 
aid  of  Freedom  office  were  also  put  into  the  Kansas,  and  the 
press  broken.  The  red  flag  of  the  South  Carolinians  was  first 
hoisted  upon  this  office,  and  in  about  fifteen  minutes  was  removed 
to  the  hotel.  The  building  was  fired  several  times,  but  put  out 
by  the  bravery  of  some  of  the  young  men  in  Lawrence,  who  were 
not  deterred  by  the  threats  of  the  mob.  Sheriff  Jones  placed  two 
companies  to  carry  the  types  of  the  offices  to  the  river,  and 
break  the  presses. 

After  the  red  flag  had  been  hoisted  upon  the  hotel,  four 
cannons  were  stationed  about  one  hundred  and  five  feet  distant 
from  it,  and  pointing  towards  it.  The  first  command  was  given 
to  fire,  and  the  balls  went  far  above  the  hotel,  and  over  into  the 
ravine  beyond  the  town.  When  the  cannonading  commenced,  it 
was  thought  prudent  for  women  and  children  to  leave  the  town, 
and  many  went  across  the  ravine  to  some  houses  west  of  Law 
rence.  Thirty-two  balls  were  fired,  doing  little  damage  to  the 
hotel,  the  balls  easily  going  through  the  concrete.  Was  the  num 
ber  significant  of  the  admission  of  Kansas  into  the  sisterhood  of 
states  ?  The  walls  of  the  hotel  stood  firmly,  almost  uninjured, 
and  the  patience  of  the  posse,  at  so  slow  a  progress,  was  getting 
weary.  Their  anticipations  had  been  disappointed ;  for,  on  the 
first  fire,  the  cry  had  been  raised,  "  Now  here  she  goes  !  " 

Amid   the  continued  roar  of  the  eighteen,    twelve,    and    six 


246  KANSAS. 

pounder,  the  yells  were  terrific.  By  all  who  listened,  it  is  averred 
they  never  before  had  heard  such  unearthly  sounds.  Some  kegs 
of  powder  were  carried  into  the  cellar;  for  "  law  and  order  "  was 
not  blind,  and  the  continued  display  of  plunder  gained  by  others 
of  the  mob  excited  their  covetousness,  and  a  more  summary  way 
of  "  removing  the  nuisance  "  was  desired.  The  result  was  only  a 
little  smoke,  and  the  shivering  of  a  few  windows.  The  order  was 
then  given  to  the  military  commander,  Col.  Titus,  just  arrived 
from  Florida,  to  fire  the  building.  By  setting  fires  in  each  of 
the  rooms,  the  large  hotel  was  destroyed,  nearly  the  entire  wall 
falling  in. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  cannonading,  Jones  had  been  asked, 
"  Can  you  feel  no  pity  for  the  sufferings  you  have  caused?  " 

His  reply  was,  "  The  laws  must  be  executed."  And,  turning  to 
two  of  his  posse,  he  said,  "  Gentlemen,  this  is  the  happiest  day  of 
my  life,  I  assure  you.  I  determined  to  make  the  fanatics  bow 
before  me  in  the  dust,  and  kiss  the  territorial  laws." 

Then,  as  another  round  was  fired,  with  a  bitter,  scornful  sneer 
he  said,  "  I  have  done  it,  by  G — d  !  I  have  done  it !  " 

When  the  walls  of  the  hotel  had  fallen  in,  he  turned  to  his 
posse  and  said,  coolly,  "  You  are  dismissed  ;  the  writs  have  been 
executed." 

This  was  the  signal  for  a  general  plunder  of  private  houses,  and 
as  the  drunken  gang  rushed  from  place  to  place,  they  took  any 
thing  of  value  upon  which  their  eyes  fell.  They  rifled  trunks, 
taking  letters,  money,  drafts,  apparel,  both  ladies  and  gentlemen's, 
and  destroyed  anything  that  would  break,  even  to  daguerreotypes 
and  children's  toys.  Before  the  day  was  over,  many  of  the  citi 
zens  recognized,  upon  the  before  ragged  persons  of  the  militia,  a 
hat,  coat,  vest,  or  pair  of  pantaloons,  to  which  they  had  had  pre 
vious  title,  with  some  of  the  heavy  curtain-cords  and  tassels,  taken 
from  the  hotel,  worn  around  them  in  lieu  of  sashes ;  and,  with  ex 
pensive  silk  or  satin  dresses  on  their  arms,  they  marched  about, 
evidently  elated  with  their  transformation.  In  many  houses, 
whatever  they  left  was  mutilated  and  defaced,  and  the  people,  on 
returning  to  their  homes,  found  only  a  wreck  of  those  things  which 
had  conduced  to  their  comfort.  Stores  were  broken  open.  Letters 


THE   ATIACK    UPON    LAWRENCE.  247 

were  pilfered  from  the  post-office,  and  opened.  From  the  same 
building,  occupied  as  a  store,  Dr.  Stringfellow  carried  off  under 
each  arm  a  box  of  cigars,  having  helped  himself  to  them  behind 
the  counter,  saying,  as  he  did  so,  "Well,  boys,  I  guess  this  is  as 
good  plunder  as  I  want."  He  was  particularly  busy  during  the 
day  in  inciting  the  -heroic  band  to  such  deeds  of  valor.  Major 
Buford,  of  Alabama,  was  also  conspicuous  as  a  leader.  Mr. 
Hutchinson's  store  was  broken  into  by  Col.  Titus,  saying,  "  I 
think  there  are  Sharpe's  rifles  in  there ;  stave  her  in,  boys,  if 
she  is  locked  !  "  They  obeyed  him  by  breaking  in  the  windows 
with  the  butts  of  their  guns,  and  then  crawled  in  through  the 
aperture. 

The  cry  of  "  There  's  Reeder  trying  to  escape  !  "  at  one  time 
caused  some  excitement.  One  of  the  ruffians,  attempting  to  shoot 
the  man,  who  did  not  prove  to  be  Gov.  Reeder,  while  his  horse 
was  on  a  full  gallop,  fell  from  it  and  broke  his  leg.  Another  was 
killed  instantly  by  the  falling  of  a  brick  from  the  hotel.  The 
South  Carolina  flag,  waving  on  the  roof,  whipped  it  off  one  of  the 
chimneys. 

Some  ladies,  sitting  upon  College  Hill  west  of  the  town,  during 
the  cannonading,  were  fired  upon  by  a  party  of  Buford's  men, 
who  came  from  town.  When  about  a  hundred  yards  distant,  they 
levelled  their  guns  at  them  deliberately,  and,  without  one  word 
being  said,  fired.  The  balls  went  whizzing  through  the  air  near 
the  ladies.  South  Carolina's  gallant  sons  then  threw  down  their 
guns  and  shouted,  while  swinging  their  hats,  "  Hurrah  for  South 
Carolina  !  Down  with  the  abolitionists  !  Slavery  in  Kansas,  by 
G— d  !  " 

Again  they  picked  up  their  arms,  and  levelled  them  towards 
the  ladies,  who  were  standing  still,  looking  at  them,  when  one  of 
the  four  said,  "  Don't  fire  ;  I  would  n't."  Then,  singing  Katy 
Darling  and  Lily  Dale,  they  went  up  the  hill. 

Our  house  was  nearly  vacated  as  night  approached,  and  a 
neighbor  passing,  stepped  in  to  see  how  matters  looked.  Furni 
ture,  which  had  been  thrown  out  of  the  house,  he  set  back,  and 
finding  only  one  of  the  Missourians  in  the  lower  rooms,  and  he 
busily  engaged  in  looking  for  liquors,  the  way  into  the  cellar,  etc. 


248  KANSAS. 

he  went  up  stairs.  In  one  room,  a  man  with  gloves  on  was  rum 
maging  bureau  drawers.  He  had  a  large  pile  of  letters  in  one 
hand,  and  a  daguerreotype  in  the  other.  Trunks  which  had  been 
locked  were  opened,  their  contents  strewed  everywhere,  and  a  fire 
was  blazing  in  the  bed.  After  throwing  the  bed  out  of  the  win 
dow,  this  friend  went  into  another  chamber," and  put  out  the  fire 
which  was  kindled  in  a  closet. 

This  man,  so  busily  prying  into  bureau  drawers  and  private 
correspondence,  was  one  of  the  principal  men  in  the  "  law-and- 
order  party."  0,  southern  honor !  how  her  gloss  has  become  dim, 
when  her  chief  men,  the  self-constituted  champions  of  southern 
institutions,  attempt  to  gain  their  ends  by  stealing  private  corre 
spondence,  and  pillaging  a  lady's  drawers  ! 

About  seven  o'clock,  the  semi-human  creatures  began  to  leave 
the  town.  The  large  covered  wagons,  which  stood  near  our  house 
to  receive  the  spoils,  moved  off.  Houses  out  of  town,  which  had 
escaped  molestation,  were  opened  for  the  reception  of  the  destitute 
and  homeless. 

About  nine  o'clock  the  flames  burst  forth  from  the  home  on 
Mt.  Oread,  and  the  "  legally  organized  militia  "  had  completed 
their  work.  Many  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  property  had  been 
destroyed.  People  had  been  robbed  of  their  all.  Lawrence  was 
destroyed  ;  and  the  President  bears  the  signal  honor.  Crown  his 
brows  with  asphodel  and  wormwood,  ye  American  people,  for  he 
has  wrought  for  your  fellow-countrymen  bitterness  and  woe ! 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


THE  end  is  not  yet.  While  these  outrages  were  being  com 
mitted,  and  fiend-like,  with  hideous  yells,  these  officials  rushed 
from  spot  to  spot,  to  make  the  ruin  complete,  the  people  of  Law 
rence  looked  on  in  silence.  They  could  hardly  believe  that  men 
could  be  so  transformed  into  demons  of  darkness,  or  that  these 
acts  were  committed  at  the  instigation  of  United  States  appointees. 
'But  cheerful,  for  the  most  part,  was  the  silence.  It  is  ever  better 
that  the  foe  one  contends  with  should  be  clothed  in  his  own  pan 
oply.  If  that  panoply  be  sin,  darkness,  degradation,  let  them  form 
the  external  covering.  So,  now,  the  slave  power,  blood-thirsty, 
and  still  crying  more  victims,  had  sent  its  own  tools,  —  ragged, 
ignorant,  debauched,  semi-savages,  the  very  offshoot  and  growth 
of  its  peculiar  institution,  —  to  destroy  a  quiet  town,  to  steal,  de 
stroy,  and  outrage  its  inhabitants.  The  work  has  been  accom 
plished.  The  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  American  people 
has  an  American  town  been  besieged  and  its  inhabitants  robbed, 
by  forces  acting  under  the  instructions  of  U.  S.  officers.  Every 
outrage  committed  was  in  direct  violation  of  that  act  in  the  consti 
tution,  which  provides  for  the  rights  of* the  people  in  their  persons, 
houses,  papers  and  effects  ;  but  it  was  done  by  the  administration, 
acting  as  the  servile  tool  of  the  slave  power.  Can  any  freeman 
decide  what  other  provision  of  the  constitution  cannot  as  easily 
be  set  aside,  when  it  stands  in  the  way  of  the  slave  power's  subdu 
ing  intentions  ?  Was  it  ever  heard  in  this  country,  or  in  England, 
before  the  times  of  Judge  Lecompte,  that  a  judge  had  legal  author 
ity  to  order  the  destruction  of  a  press,  which  the  grand  jury,  under 
his  instructions,  might  find  a  nuisance  ?  Are  one  and  all  the 


250  KANSAS. 

presses  in  this  country  exposed  to  momentary  irruptions  upon 
them  ?  We  boast  of  the  freedom  of  the  American  press.  But 
let  the  bold  assertion  that  freedom  of  speech,  of  action,  and  the 
press,  is  the  birthright  of  an  American  citizen,  no  longer  be 
heard. 

Louis  Napoleon  gave  three  distinct  and  formal  warnings,  in  the 
last  French  revolution,  before  dealing  the  fatal  blow.  But  it  was 
reserved  for  the  administration,  in  the  year  1856,  in  the  year  of 
our  independence  the  eightieth,  to  summarily  demolish  a  free  press 
as  a  nuisance,  and  to  bombard  a  little  town  on  the  western  fron 
tier.  "0,  shame  !  where  is  thy  blush  ?  " 

If  the  American  people  desire  the  discontinuance  of  such  un 
precedented  horrors,  let  them  wake  to  the  designs  of  the  slave 
interest.  Let  them  shake  off  the  shackles  which  are  continually 
growing  more  galling.  The  power  which  has  struck  this  blow  in 
Kansas  meditates  no  less  designs  on  any  other  part  of  the  free 
North,  when  the  opportune  moment  arrives. 

Lieut.  Warren  D.  Wilkes,  of  the  South  Carolina  banditti,  one 
of  the  self-constituted  regulators  in  the  territory,  wrote  the  follow 
ing  to  the  Charleston  Mercury  : 

"The  importance  of  securing  Kansas  for  the  South  may  be 
briefly  set  forth  in  a  positive  and  negative  form  : 

"  1.  By  consent  of  parties,  the  present  contest  in  Kansas  is 
made  the  turning  point  in  the  destinies  of  slavery  and  abolition 
ism.  If  the  South  triumphs,  abolitionism  will  be  defeated  and 
shorn  of  its  power  for  all  time.  If  she  is  defeated,  abolitionism 
will  grow  more  insolent  and  aggressive,  until  the  utter  ruin  of  the 
South  is  consummated. 

"2.  If  the  South  secures  Kansas,  she  will  extend  slavery  into 
all  territory  south  of  the  fortieth  parallel  of  north  latitude,  to  the 
Rio  Grande,  and  this  of  course  will  secure  for  her  pent-up  insti 
tutions  of  slavery  an  ample  outlet,  and  restore  her  power  in  Con 
gress.  If  the  North  secures  Kansas,  the  power  of  the  South  in 
Congress  will  be  gradually  diminished  ;  the  states  of  Missouri, 
Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Arkansas  and  Texas,  together  with  the 
adjacent  territories,  will  gradually  become  abolitionized,  and  the 
slave  population, confined  to  the  states  east  of  the  Mississippi,  will 


251 

jcome  valueless.     All  depends  upon  the  action  of  the  present 
moment." 

On  the  22d  of  May,  the  Platte  County  Rifle  Company  —  one 
hundred  armed  horsemen,  under  the  lead  of  Gen.  D.  R.  Atchison 
—  passed  through  Lawrence,  over  the  ferry,  on  their  way  back  to 
Missouri.  They  clenched  their  guns  nervously,  but  no  one  offered 
them  any  molestation.  In  safety  they  passed  through  the  town 
they  had  helped  to  devastate. 

The  threats  of  the  men  were  bitter  against  the  hotel  at  Kansas  city. 
Murder  arid  robbery  were  the  order  of  the  day.  The  horses  and  other 
property  of  free-state  men  were  continually  pillaged  by  the  "  chiv 
alry,"  and  travelling  in  the  territory  was  unsafe.  When  the  "mili 
tia  "  left  Lawrence  on  the  21st  of  May,  it  was  with  the  design  of 
attacking  Topeka.  But  a  messenger  having  been  despatched  to  Gov. 
Shannon,  at  Lecompton,  with  a  report  that  "  Topeka  was  on  the 
march  to  destroy  Tecumseh,"  Gov.  Shannon  sent  to  Col.  Sumner 
for  troops  to  be  stationed  at  Topeka,  to  preserve  order.  An -ap 
peal  had  previously  been  sent  to  him  from  the  citizens  of  Topeka, 
but  they  had  no  expectation  of  the  granting  of  their  request. 

After  Lawrence  was  destroyed,  Gov.  Shannon  ordered  troops 
there  also  to  preserve  the  peace.  A  part  of  the  "militia,"  after 
leaving  the  sack  of  Lawrence,  proceeded  to  Fish's,  the  Shawnee 
Indian's.  Having  put  him  under  guard,  they  robbed  his  house 
and  store,  took  everything  which  could  be  eaten  from  his  house, 
tore  up  the  fences,  and  took  his  horses  from  the  wagons.  The 
reason  was,  his  sympathies  were  with  the  free-state  men. 

A  party  of  the  southern  youth  encamped  between  Kansas  city 
and  Westport,  and  robbed  all  teams  which  passed,  even  stopping 
the  mail,  and  examining  the  way-bill,  on  the  20th,  22d  and 
23d  of  May.  Capt.  II.  C.  Pate  was  the  leader  of  the  gang.  He 
examined  papers,  trunks,  valises  and  carpet-sacks.  He  obliged 
some  of  the  passengers  to  take  off  their  boots,  that  he  might  look 
into  them.  One  passenger,  upon  whom  he  found  a  letter,  he 
detained.  When  the  driver  grew  impatient,  and  would  have  gone 
along,  a  man  passed  around  in  front  of  the  horses,  and  presented 
a  pistol  at  him.  Coleman,  the  murderer,  also  threatened  the  mail- 
carrier  so  repeatedly  that  he  spoke  to  Col.  Boone,  P.  M.  at 


252  KANSAS. 

Westport,of  the  matter,  and  he  advised  him  to  leave  the  line,  and 
get  some  one  else  to  drive  in  his  place,  as  "  Coleman  was  a  des 
perate  man." 

While  such  outrages  were  being  committed  between  Kansas 
city  and  Lawrence,  the  reign  of  terror  was  complete  at  Leaven- 
worth.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th  an  exciting  extra,  issued  at 
the  office  of  the  Westport  News,  headed  "  War !  War ! "  was  received 
at  Leavenworth.  The  ruffians  immediately  held  a  secret  session, 
and  appointed  themselves  a  vigilance  committee.  All  persons, 
who  could  not  answer  "  All  right  on  the  goose,"  according  to 
their  definition  of  right,  were  searched,  kept  under  guard,  and 
threatened  with  death  by  the  rope  or  rifle.  A  company,  under 
the  lead  of  Warren  D.  Wilkes,  of  South  Carolina,  armed  with 
United  States  muskets  and  bayonets,  were  paraded  through  the 
different  streets  of  the  town.  They  surrounded  the  house  where 
a  portion  of  the  investigating  committee  boarded,  while  two  or 
thr£e  entered  and  took  prisoner  Judge  M.  F.  Conway,  who  was 
acting  for  the  committee  in  the  capacity  of  clerk.  Forming  a 
hollow  square,  and  placing  him  in  the  centre,  they  marched 
through  several  streets.  As  they  passed  the  office  of  Miles 
Moore,  the  Attorney  General  under  the  free-state  constitution, 
they  arrested  him,  also  M.  J.  Parrott,  a  law  partner  of  Moore. 
Mr.  Sherman,  one  of  the  investigating  committee,  was  convers 
ing  with  them  at  the  time,  and  Mr.  Sherman  inquired  of  Wilkes 
"  if  he  had  arrested  one  of  the  clerks  of  the  committee  upon 
any  legal  process."  He  replied,  "  he  had  not,  but,  at  all 
hazards,  he  should  arrest  those  whose  names  he  had  on  his  list." 

Attacks  were  nightly  threatened  upon  the  houses  of  those  free- 
state  men  who  had  stood  firmly  by  their  principles,  and  the 
committee  were  in  hourly  danger  of  violence.  A  threatening 
message  was  sent  them  with  the  significant  signature  of  "  Capt, 
Hemp."  Violence  had  been  contemplated  both  against  the  com 
mittee  and  my  husband.  It  was  rather  too  bold  a  step  to  attack 
the  United  States  officials. 

The  exact  state  of  things  at  this  time  may  be  better  realized  by 
statements  of  prisoners  in  the  camp  of  the  invaders.  Dr.  Root 
and  Mr.  Mitchell  had  been  taken  prisoners  about  the  15th  May, 


THE    "  REIGN   OF   TERROR"  IN   KANSAS.  253 

being  fired  upon  by  a  part  of  the  marshal's  posse.  The  balls 
whizzed  about  them  fearfully,  and  finally  they  reined  in  their  mules 
and  asked  the  reason  of  such  a  murderous  fire.  Their  answer 
was  substantially  that,  in  firing  before  ordering  a  halt,  they  had 
acted  in  obedience  to  the  marshal's  orders.  The  prisoners  were 
taken  by  the  ruffians  one  mile  and  a  half  to  the  encampment,  and 
their  pistols  and  valuable  papers  were  taken  from  them  by  Capt. 
John  Donaldson,  the  auditor.  They  were  then  put  under  guard. 
The  reason  of  their  detention  was  not  given,  but  a  promise  was 
made  that  they  should  be  told  in  the  morning.  Letters  which 
Mr.  Mitchell  was  carrying  from  the  mail  at  Lawrence,  to  a  friend, 
and  supposed  to  contain  several  hundred  dollars,  were  taken  from 
him. 

The  next  forenoon  they  were  ordered  to  appear  in  the  august 
presence  of  Dr.  Stringfellow,  who,  however,  gave  no  reason  for  the 
detention,  but  stated  that  he  was  acting  wholly  under  the  command 
of  the  United  States  Marshal.  Sometimes  they  had  two  meals  a 
day,  and  sometimes  were  deprived  of  food  for  twenty-four  hours. 
The  consolation,  that  "  prisoners  often  fared  worse,  and  they 
deserved  to  be  hung,"  was  freely  given.  On  the  fifth  day  of 
their  imprisonment,  having  fasted  twenty-four  hours,  the  ruffians 
ordered  Mr.  Mitchell  to  cook  something  for  himself  and  Dr.  Root. 
On  his  declining  to  do  so,  never  having  been  educated  in  the 
culinary  department,  he  was  commanded  to  appear  immediately 
at  Dr.  Stringfel low's  tent.  There  he  was  pressed  upon  by  officers 
and  men,  crying  "  Kill  the  d — d  rascal !  "  "  Hang  him,  hang  him  !  " 
At  the  same  time  a  rope  was  thrown  over  his  head,  the  men 
springing  for  the  other  end.  Mr.  Mitchell,  being  of  agile  motions, 
avoided  this  new  test  of  the  mercy  of  the  ruffians.  Seven  prison 
ers  were  in  camp  at  this  time,  whom  Dr.  Stringfellow  insulted  by 
asking  the  most  disgusting  questions,  such  as  "  Would  you  steal  a 
nigger  ?  "  "  Would  you  sleep  with  a  nigger  ?  "  etc.  The  prin 
cipal  theme  of  conversation,  in  the  camp  was  the  proposed  de 
struction  of  Lawrence. 

The  night  before  the  bombarding,  the  prisoners  were  marched 
about  six  miles,  and  within  two  miles  of  Lawrence,  being  guarded 
on  all  sides  by  United  States  muskets  in  the  hands  of  Southerners 
22 


254  KANSAS. 

and  Missourians.  The  ground  was  wet  with  heavy  dew,  and,  as 
they  reached  the  tent  about  nine  o'clock,  without  any  blanket 
under  or  over  them,  they  were  obliged  to  take  what  rest  such  ac 
commodations  and  such  surroundings  might  afford.  After  the 
marshal's  posse  had  finished  breakfast,  they  were  drawn  up  into  a 
hollow  square,  and  into  this  Marshal  Donaldson  and  Gen.  D.  li. 
Atehison  were  introduced.  The  red  flag,  with  the  lone  white  star, 
and  "  Southern  Eights"  and  "  South  Carolina,"  floated  over  them. 
The  marshal  gave  his  orders  for  the  day,  and  loud  hurrahs  rent 
the  air.  Then  "Old  Dave"  was  greeted  with  yells  terrific. 
The  green  prairies  almost  trembled  with  the  hideous  sound.  The 
tall  form  of  him  who  had  been  vice-president  of  the  United  States 
was  seated  on  his  beautiful  horse,  now  waving  this  hand,  and 
now  that,  as  he  pointed  first  to  their  southern  homes,  and  then 
to  the  doomed  city.  Surrounded  by  the  restless  mass  of  brutal 
men,  he  urged  them  on  to  deeds  of  violence,  "  not  to  leave  it  or 
the  territory  until  they  have  quenched  out  every  vestige  of  free- 
state  principles." 

A  little  time  more  elapsed,  when  the  cavalry  under  the  com 
mand  of  Col.  Titus,  Major  Clarke,  etc.,  came  up  from  Lawrence, 
where  they  had  been  to  learn  of  their  defences.  They  reported 
there  were  no  signs  of  defence,  and  there  was  exceeding  joy  mani 
fested  ;  this  kind  of  fighting  suited  them.  Before  noon  all  the 
posse  had  left  the  camp,  save  about  twenty-five  in  charge  of  the 
prisoners.  At  about  three  o'clock,  United  States  Marshal  Don 
aldson  came  and  asked  for  the  prisoners  of  the  sergeant,  who 
fired  upon  them  at  the  time  of  the  arrest,  and  others  stand 
ing  by.  He  asked  the  reason  of  their  detention  with  all  the  dig 
nity  his  office  imposed  upon  him.  No  one  was  able  to  make  any 
charge  against  them.  His  orders  alone  were  the  occasion  of  the 
detention.  When  arrested,  the  following  receipt  was  given  for 
articles  taken  :  "  Dr.  J.  P.  Hoot,  one  mule,  bridle,  saddle,  two 
Whitney's  revolvers,  brass  spurs,  blanket,  lariettes." 

The  following  general  order  was  given  :  "  Capt.  Donaldson  and 
other  captains  will  release  all  the  within  named  prisoners  immedi 
ately  after  the  reception  of  this  order,  and  all  their  property  to 
be  restored  to  them  without  delay." 


THE   "REIGN  OF  TERROR"  IN  KANSAS.          255 

There  was  also  this  order  : 

"  Let  Dr.  J.  P.  Root  pass  unmolested.  He  is  entitled  to  receive 
his  mule,  saddle,  bridle,  spurs,  blanket,  lariettes,  and  two  Whit 
ney's  revolvers. 

"  J.  B.  DONALDSON, 

"May  1>1,  1856.  U.  S.  Marshal" 

Addressed  to   "  Captain  J.  Donelson,  Present." 

The  release  was  effected  as  the  firing  upon  the  hotel  commenced  ; 
and  against  the  advice  of  the  U.  S.  Marshal,  who  saw  danger 
in  the  attempt  to  go  to  Lawrence,  they  made  their  way  thither. 
When  half  way  there  they  met  the  sergeant  who  arrested  them 
at  first.  With  an  appearance  of  sincerity,  he  advised  them  not 
to  enter  into  the  besieged  town,  as  "he  knew  the  men  better  than 
they  did,  and  it  was  not  safe  for  them  to  go  further."  In  the  con 
versation  with  the  U.  S.  Marshal,  something  in  regard  to  the 
fare  they  had  received  was  said  by  the  guard,  when  a  native  of 
fair  Erin,  who  was  an  officer  of  the  day,  stepped  forward,  and,  in 
a  low,  rich  brogue,  with  hand  uplifted,  and  in  a  truly  dramatic 
style,  said,  "  This  abuse  these  men  have  received  is  registered  in 
heaven." 

On  the  2'2d,  Dr.  Root,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Mitchell,  visited 
Marshal  Donaldson  at  Lecompton,  to  recover  their  property.  The 
marshal  had  acknowledged,  by  his  orders,  his  responsibility  in  the 
arrest  and  robbery,  but  he  refused  to  give  up  the  goods.  While 
there  Dr.  Root  saw  a  bill  of  sundries  charged  to  the  U.  S.  Mar 
shal's  posse.  The  whole  bill  amounted  to  $370  85,  which  com 
prised  whiskey  at  $1  00  per  gallon,  and  French  brandy  at  $8  00 
per  gallon.  The  bill  was  accepted,  and  no  fault  found  except  for 
a  charge  of  five  gallons  of  whiskey,  which  at  first  was  claimed  not 
to  have  been  received.  While  they  sat  in  the  office  of  the  mar 
shal,  Col.  Titus  and  a  man  by  the  name  of  Elliot  came  in.  Titus, 
with  oaths,  was  talking  about  Capt.  Walker,  a  brave  free-state 
man,  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  said  "  he  would  have  his  head, 
on  or  off  his  shoulders,  and  for  it  he  would  give  any  man  five 
hundred  dollars."  In  this  his  faithful  ally,  Elliot,  joined,  and 
the  marshal,  as  usual,  ready  to  do  the  vile  work  of  killing  honora- 


256  KANSAS. 

ble  men,  said,  "  If  you  wish  it  I  will  send  a  posse  immediately 
for  him."  It  is  such  men  as  these  who  receive  from  the  gov 
ernment  daily  wages  in  the  glorious  employment  of  hunting,  rob 
bing  and  killing  innocent  men,  on  this  western  soil. 

The  principal  officers  in  the  camp  were  D.  R.  Atchison,  Col. 
Buford,  Col.  Abel  (law  partner  of  Gen.  Stringfellow),  Dr.  String- 
fellow,  Col.  Titus,  and  other  men  of  similar  stamp.  Such  are  the 
men,  residents  of  Missouri,  and  Georgians,  and  Floridians,  just 
arrived  in  the  territory,  upon  whom  Marshal  Donaldson  called  to 
assist  him  in  "  enforcing  the  laws." 

Information  being  reliably  received  by  Capt.  Walker  that  his 
house  was  to  be  burned  by  the  "  law-and-order  "  party,  a  few 
neighbors  gathered  to  protect  it.  About  midnight  a  party  of 
twelve  men  came  down  the  Lecompton  road,  and  halted  in  front  of 
the  house.  As  they  were  fastening  their  horses  to  the  paling,  the 
party  in  the  house  fired  upon  them,  killing  a  horse  in  the  gateway, 
and  severely  wounding  one  man.  In  the  scattering  of  the  "law- 
and-order  "  party  which  followed,  two  or  three  hats,  several  bowie- 
knives,  and  two  Sharpe's  rifles,  taken  at  the  sack  of  Lawrence, 
were  left  as  relics.  Also  a  part  of  a  coat-skirt,  with  a  bottle  of 
whiskey  in  the  pocket,  was  left  hanging  to  the  paling,  which  gave 
the  impression  of  the  owner's  having  made  a  desperate  leap  for 
life.  Gov.  Shannon's  son  was  of  the  party. 

The  next  day,  Gov.  Shannon  made  himself  busy  drinking  whis 
key,  and  outraging  peaceable  citizens  in  their  own  houses.  He 
and  his  party,  Col.  Titus  and  confreres,  were  met  upon  the  Califor 
nia  road  by  several  ladies,  and  Gov.  Shannon  was  so  drunk  he 
reeled  backward  and  forward  on  his  horse,  scarcely  keepino-  his 
seat.  Upon  reaching  home,  he  staggered  around,  holding  upon  the 
furniture  to  keep  himself  from  falling.  He  was  busy  feeling  mat 
tresses,  peeping  into  closets,  emptying  trunks,  looking  under  beds, 
and  used  language  which  shocked  those  obliged  to  listen. 

At  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Hazeltyne,  which  he  visited  in  this  drunken 
condition,  he  inquired  of  Mrs.  Hazeltyne  for  her  husband ;  upon 
her  replying  that  she  did  not  know  where  he  was,  the  Governor 
of  Kansas  Territory  replied,  "  I  '11  cut  his  d — d  black  heart  out 
of  him,  and  yours  too,  madam,  if  you  don't  take  care."  Gov.  Shan- 


THE    "REIGN    OF   TERROR"   IN   KANSAS.  257 

non  called  the  same  day  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Thomes,  and  the 
following  conversation  passed  between  Gov.  Shannon  and  the  wife 
and  little  daughter  of  Capt.  Thomes.     As  Gov.  Shannon  rode  up 
to  the  house  with  his  men,  he  asked  for  water,  and  then  said  : 
»  Who  lives  here  ?" 
Daughter.  —  "  Capt,  Thomes." 

G-ov]"  S.  —  "  What  is  he  captain  of,  —  Walker's  company  ?  " 
"  No,  sir,  he  is  a  sea-captain/' 
"Where  is  he?" 
"Gone  to  Lawrence." 

"  What  has  he  gone  to  Lawrence  for  ?  To  get  up  a  company,  eh  ?  " 
"  No,  sir,  gone  to  get  lumber  to  fence  his  claim  with." 
«  Fence  his  claim  with  lumber  ?  Eh?    Well,  my  girl,  lam  Gov. 
Shannon." 

At  this  time  Mrs.  Thomes  came  to  the  door  from  the  garden, 
where  she  had  been  at  work.  Her  daughter  gave  her  an  introduc 
tion  to  the  governor,  but  she  declined  taking  his  extended  hand,  on 
the  plea  of  her  soiled  hands. 

Gov.  Shannon  replied,  "  Never  mind,  madam,  give  me  your 
hand." 

A  similar  conversation  to  the  above  passed,  when  the  governor 
said,  "  I  am  around  to  see  who  is  who,  who  to  have  killed,  and 
who  not." 

Mrs.  Thomes  said,  "  Gov.  Shannon,  I  hope  you  won't  kill  me 

nor  mine." 

"  No,  no,  madam,  you  are  peaceable  citizens,  an't  ye,  eh?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  we  try  to  be." 

The  governor,  wheeling  his  horse,  called  to  Col.  Titus  to  come 
forward^  "  Colonel,  I  want  you  to  take  particular  notice  of  these 
premises,  and  not  have  this  family  harmed.  Do  you  hear,  eh  ?  " 

"  Who  did  you  say  live  here  ?  " 

"  Capt.  Thomes." 

Col.  Titus  promised  protection.  Then  Gov.  Shannon  addressed 
Mrs.  Thomes  again.  "  Madam,  tell  your  husband  to  come  to 
Lecompton  and  see  me ;  he  may  rest  assured  that  he  will  find  a 
warm-hearted  friend  in  me."  He  added  further,  "  I  am  out  to  put 
a  stop  to  these  G— d  d— d  guerilla  parties." 
22* 


258  KANSAS. 

On  the  last  day  of  May,  an  attack  was  made  by  some  Georgi 
ans  on  the  house  of  Mr.  Storrs,who  lived  nine  miles  from  Law 
rence.  Since  the  sacking  of  Lawrence,  they  had  been  encamped 
in  that  region.  They  came  early  in  the  morning,  driving  before 
them  a  man  who  lived  with  Mr.  Storrs,  and  had  been  out  to  hunt 
the  cattle,  firing  upon  him  three  times.  They  demanded  that  a 
very  valuable  horse  standing  near  should  be  given  up.  Mrs.  Storrs 
asked,  "  By  what  authority  ?  "  The  captain  of  the  robbers  replied, 
"  By  the  authority  of  Gov.  Shannon,  and  if  she  said  a  word,  he 
would  shoot  her ;  he  would  kill  every  d — d  abolitionist  in  the 
territory."  They  took  the  horse.  The  family  for  safety  moved  to 
Lawrence.  Horses  were  continually  being  pressed  into  the  gov 
ernor's  service,  taken  from  teams  on  the  highway,  and  in  the  fur 
row. 

At  one  place,  when  the  presence  of  some  young  ladies  seemed  to 
have  some  effect  upon  the  chivalry,  they  declaring  "  they  should 
return  to  Alabama  in  the  fall,  and  would  like  to  take  some  wives 
with  them,"  the  horses  were  left.  They  said,  however,  "  they 
didn't  know  what  the  old  man  (meaning  Gov.  Shannon)  would 
say,  if  he  knew  they  did  so." 

Arrests  are  in  no  instance  made  of  the  men  who  commit  such 
outrages;  none  of  the  Georgians  attacking  and  destroying  pri 
vate  dwellings,  none  of  the  Lecompton  gentry  who  make  midnight 
sallies  upon  quiet  settlers,  ever  being  arrested ;  but,  per  contra, 
warrants  were  issued  for  all  who  were  known  to  be  concerned  in 
defending  Capt.  Walker's  house. 

Such  is  "  law  and  order  "  in  Kansas,  whose  governor,  drunken 
and  debauched,  insults  women  in  their  own  dwellings,  with  lan 
guage  too  profane  for  insertion  here,  and  heads  gangs  for  searching 
settlers'  homes. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

ARREST    OF   G.    JENKINS   AND  G.    W.    BROWN. 

ON  the  14th  of  May,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  as  Mr. 
Jenkins  and  Gr.  W.  Brown  were  returning  to  their  homes  in  Law 
rence,  they  were  arrested  by  armed  men,  between  Kansas  city  and 
Westport,  and  taken  to  the  house  of  Milton  McGee,  a  most  bitter 
pro-slavery  man.  The  same  forenoon  they  were  taken  to  the 
Harris  house,  in  Westport,  and  placed  under  strong  guard  in  rooms 
in  the  third  story.  Mrs.  Jenkins,  having  received  word  from  her 
husband,  left  Lawrence  on  Friday,  p.  M.,  the  16th,  in  a  driving 
rain,  and  reached  Westport,  Saturday,  p.  M.,  about  four  or  five 
o'clock.  Mr.  Jenkins'  brother  accompanied  her.  She  found  her 
husband  quite  ill  from  fatigue  and  excitement,  his  strength  having 
been  impaired  before  leaving  home  by  the  watching  and  anxiety 
attending  the  severe  illness  of  one  of  his  children,  as  well  as  by 
the  ill-treatment  he  had  since  received.  Mrs.  Jenkins  laid  aside 
bonnet  and  shawl.  Crowder,  a  man  who  pretended  to  be  one  of 
the  deputy  marshals,  had  just  been  in  the  room  to  say  that  the 
papers  they  were  expecting  from  Kansas  city,  in  reference  to  Mr. 
Jenkins'  release,  had  not  come,  and  they  would  stay  at  Westport 
another  night.  Scarcely  had  he  gone  out,  when  Mr.  Jenkins,  see 
ing  his  horse  in  the  street,  a  valuable  one,  which  they  had  taken 
from  him  the  night  he  was  taken  prisoner,  went  down  with  his 
guard  to  see  if  he  could  not  have  it  restored  to  him.  Mrs.  Jenkins 
seated  herself  in  one  of  the  deep  window-seats,  and  looked  out 
upon  the  motley  group  in  the  street.  A  hack  drove  around  to  the 
door,  and  the  loud,  harshly-spoken  words,  "  Come  along,"  attracted 
her  attention.  The  moment  she  looked  her  husband  was  literally 
pushed  into  the  carriage  by  several  men.  Sick  as  he  was,  no 


260  KANSAS. 

time  was  given  to  get  his  overcoat,  for  which  he  asked.  Almost 
flying  down  the  two  stairways,  Mrs.  Jenkins  arrived  at  the  door 
only  in  time  to  see  the  carriage  driving  away.  She  ran  to  Mrs. 
Brown's  room,  who  had  arrived  in  Westport  one  day  before  her, 
and  Mr.  Brown  too  was  gone.  He  had  been  called  down  stairs  on 
some  trivial  pretence,  and  was  also  forced  into  the  hack.  Mrs. 
Jenkins  inquired  of  Mr.  Harris  and  others  where  they  were  going, 
and  why  they  were  taken  away  in  such  a  hurried  manner.  To  all 
of  which  questions  they  gave  indefinite  answers,  or  plead  igno 
rance.  Before  this,  however,  another  hack  had  driven  to  the  door, 
with  fine,  large  horses,  and  the  gentleman  promised  Mrs.  Brown  he 
would  take  her  to  her  husband.  He  said,  "  he  would  drive  on 
until  he  overtook  the  other  hack."  Upon  Mrs.  Jenkins  asking, 
"  if  he  would  take  her  too,"  he  replied  in  the  affirmative  ;  when  a 
loud  dispute  arose  among  the  besotted  crowd,  and  threats  of  "  We 
will  shoot  you,  if  you  attempt  to  carry  these  ladies,  and  we  '11 
shoot  you,  if  you  get  into  that  carriage,"  resounded  on  every  side, 
with  brutal  imprecations  mingled.  The  man,  however,  took  his 
seat  in  the  carriage,  and  asked  Mrs.  Brown  to  get  in  also ;  but,  as 
he  said  at  this  time  he  would  only  take  her,  she  declined  going. 
Mrs.  Jenkins  then  found  her  brother.  He  harnessed  the  horses 
quickly,  which  had  scarcely  been  put  in  the  stable,  arid  they  started 
in  pursuit  of  the  party.  By  asking  of  persons  whom  they  met, 
"  if  they  had  seen  a  hack,"  they  found  they  were  on  the  track, 
and,  about  two  miles  from  Westport,  they  overtook  the  carriage, 
stopped  by  the  way,  and  its  escort  of  twenty  men  preparing  supper. 
As  they  drove  up  by  the  side  of  the  carriage,  and  the  astonished 
posse  saw  who  they  were,  loud  and  bitter  were  the  curses.  They 
were  told  they  should  not  stay  with  their  husbands ;  but  Mrs. 
Jenkins,  excited  by  fears  for  her  husband's  safety,  by  the  strange 
movements  of  the  mob,  as  well  as  by  his  haggard  looks,  induced 
by  constant  illness  for  the  last  few  clays,  as  soon  as  her  carriage 
ceased  moving,  was  in  the  other  with  her  husband.  She  did  not 
wait  for  the  convenience  of  open  doors,  but  made  her  entrance 
through  the  window.  Mrs.  Brown  also  soon  entered  it,  while  the 
posse  continually  declared  the  ladies  "  should  not  remain  in  the 
hack."  They  said  "  if  the  ladies  would  return  to  Westport,  where 


ARREST    OF   G.    JENKINS   AND    G.    W.    BROWN.         261 

they  could  have  comfortable  quarters  for  the  night,  they  could 
reach  them  in  the  morning  before  they  should  leave."  Or,  if  they 
would  go  on  to  "Donaldson's  (a  stopping-place  for  travellers),  they 
would  call  for  them  in  the  morning." 

Bat  the  reply  of  the  ladies  was  the  same  :  "  We  will  remain  by 
our  husbands,  and  share  their  accommodations."  The  distress  of 
the  ladies,  occasioned  by  the  strange  conduct  of  the  men,  at  last 
softened  somewhat  their  hearts.  They  brought  them  supper,  and 
said  "  they  would  use  their  influence  with  Capt.  Pate,  when  he 
should  come  from  Westport,  that  they  should  not  be  separated 
from  their  husbands."  The  hack-driver  declared,  with  feeling, 
"  they  should  have  the  carriage  to  themselves." 

The  difficulty  which  had  been  suggested  by  the  men,  of  there 
being  a  want  of  room  for  all  the  posse,  should  the  ladies  remain 
in  the  hack,  was  at  once  remedied  by  Mr.  J.'s  offer  of  their  car 
riage  and  his  brother  to  drive  it.  The  matter  was  at  last  adjusted, 
and  the  cortege,  forgetful  of  their  declaration,  made  again  and 
again,  that  this  was  to  be  their  camping-ground  for  the  night, 
moved  on.  Horsemen  in  front,  at  the  sides,  and  in  the  rear, 
guarded  the  prisoners  in  the  hack.  Instead  of  passing  Donald 
son's,  where  they  had  desired  the  ladies  to  sleep,  promising  to  call 
for  them  in  the  morning,  they  took  the  Santa  Fe  road.  Not  long 
after  they  started,  two  horsemen,  who  always  rode  some  distance 
in  front  of  the  rest,  as  a  kind  of  scout,  turned  suddenly,  and  upon 
full  gallop  returned  to  the  party.  They  reported  a  large  body  of 
men  advancing  towards  them,  and  they  apprehended  an  attack. 
"  Halt !  "  was  the  word  of  command,  given  by  the  gallant  Capt. 
Pate  ;  "  form  into  line  !  "  followed  with  other  orders  in  quick  succes 
sion.  For  the  advantage  of  all  other  brave  men  in  similar  circum 
stances,  let  the  facts  be  stated.  The  men  were  drawn  up  in  readiness 
for  battle  behind  the  carriage  in  which  were  seated  the  prisoners. 
Thus,  breastworks  were  formed  against  the  approaching  enemy. 
The  courageous  band  waited.  They  lingered.  No  foe  came. 
The  two  horsemen  again  went  out  a  short  distance.  They  wheeled 
and  galloped  in  furiously.  They  reported  no  enemy  in  sight. 
Some  fence  stakes,  in  the  distance,  had  probably  looked  to  their 
excited  imaginations  like  so  many  legions.  They  reached  an 


262  KANSAS. 

Indian  house  about  two  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and,  with  oaths  and  curses 
which  made  the  listener  shudder,  the  posse  attempted  to  sleep  on 
the  wet  ground,  while  the  occupants  of  the  hack  got  some  rest, 
although  anxieties  and  suspense  made  sleep  broken,  and  of  little 
worth.  Breakfast  of  fat  bacon  and  corn  bread  could  hardly  be 
eaten.  There  was  no  way  to  wash  their  faces  but  in  a  brook 
near  by,  using  handkerchiefs  for  towels.  In  the  afternoon  of  that 
day  they  stopped  a  little  time  at  a  trading  post  on  the  Santa  Fe 
road,  and  a  pleasant  house.  Mrs.  J.  procured  some  medicine  for 
her  husband,  and  he  felt  somewhat  recruited  after  an  half  hour's 
sleep  on  the  lounge.  They  reached  Blue  Jacket's,  at  the  crossing 
on  the  Wakarusa,  towards  night  on  Sunday  the  18th,  having  been 
part  of  the  night  and  nearly  all  the  day  reaching  a  point  which 
might  have  easily  been  gained  on  the  usually  travelled  road  in 
five  hours.  They  had  supper  there.  From  this  place  word  was 
sent  to  the  camp  at  Franklin  of  the-  arrival  of  the  posse  at  Blue 
Jacket's,  and  thirty  men  came  down  to  meet  them.  The  heavy 
rain  of  the  Friday  preceding  had  completely  flooded  the  low 
grounds  of  the  Wakarusa,  and  it  is  impossible  to  describe  the 
ludicrous  appearance  of  the  newly-arrived  escort,  as  they  ploughed 
their  way  along,  first  knee-deep  in  water,  then  as  deeply  sinking 
in  the  heavy,  deceitful  mud.  The  party  arrived  at  Franklin,  and, 
as  they  halted  before  the  log  cabin,  christened  hotel,  the  gathered 
crowd,  which  the  camp  near  by  had  emptied  forth,  was  large  and 
full  of  curiosity.  Repeatedly  the  prisoners,  still  seated  in  the 
hack,  heard  their  curiosity  syllabled  forth  in  "Which  is  Jenkins?" 
and  "Is  that  Brown?"  Their  prying  looks  exceeded  far  the 
bounds  of  etiquette.  The  proposal  was  again  made  and  urged 
that  the  ladies  should  sleep  in  the  house  ;  but  their  decisive  reply, 
"  Accommodations  which  are  good  enough  for  our  husbands  are 
good  enough  for  us,"  settled  the  matter,  and  the  hack,  with  its 
curtains  lowered,  again  answered  for  a  sleeping  apartment. 

The  prisoners  with  their  wives  went  to  the  house  when  break 
fast  was  ready,  with  a  strong  guard  of  "guns"  on  all  sides  of 
them,  themselves  being  the  centre  of  a  hollow  square.  A  disturb 
ance  arose  here  among  the  guard,  as  to  who  should  sit  at  the  first 


ARREST    OF   G.    JENKINS  AND    G.    W.    BROWN.         263 

table.  The  landlady's  ire  was  a  little  aroused,  but  the  difficulty 
was  settled  without  an  appeal  to  arms. 

Monday  morning,  the  19th,  the  cavalcade,  with  a  large  addi 
tional  guard,  making  in  all  about  one  hundred  men,  started  for 
the  main  camp,  some  twelve  miles  distant.  This  group  of  men  was 
made  up  of  all  kinds.  There  were  a  few  young  men  of  education, 
accustomed  to  the  refinements  of  life,  and  others  brutal  and  igno 
rant.  Their  dirty  dress  gave  to  them  an  elfish  look,  and  many 
lookers-on  declared  they  had  not  supposed  God's  beautiful  earth 
contained  such  desperate,  brutal-looking  men.  They  were  obliged 
to  pass  along  the  prairie  only  a  mile  south  of  Lawrence,  and,  as 
they  approached  the  long,  steep  hill  on  the  California  road,  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  beyond  Mt.  Oread,  they  sent  scouts  all  over  the 
hills.  They  commenced  whipping  their  horses  at  the  base,  and, 
as  one  of  the  prisoners  expressed  it,  "  they  went  kiting  up  the 
hill,  and  for  nearly  a  mile  after  the  summit  had  been  gained." 

Many  of  this  posse  had  never  been  in  the  territory  before,  and, 
as  they  looked  at  Lawrence  and  its  surroundings,  of  river  flowing 
beneath  the  dim  forests,  the  beautiful  uplands  and  emerald  slopes, 
and  the  distant  highlands  surging  against  the  azure  sky,  like  the 
deep  blue  ocean-wave,  they  broke  forth  in  exclamations  of  rap 
ture  and  delight.  But  Lawrence,  with  her  large  stone  buildings, 
and  little  homes,  made  rich  in  experience  of  the  past  and  hope  for 
the  future,  was  doomed  —  yes,  doomed  to  destruction!  for  the 
strong  arm  of  the  government  so  willed  it,  and  the  wail  of  its 
desolation  has  gone  up  to  Heaven  against  its  officials,  who,  by 
their  base  proclamations,  had  brought  this  infamous  horde  upon 
us. 

About  two  miles  from  Lawrence,  a  Mr.  TV.,  passing  near  his 
home,  hunting  for  his  cattle,  was  made  to  dismount  by  the  posse 
and  give  up  his  horse  to  them.  They  reached  Judge  Wakefield's 
at  two  o'clock,  p.  M.,  and  Capt.  Donaldson,  who  seemed  to  have  the 
command  at  this  time,  went  into  the  house,  then  returned  to  the 
hack  with  a  lady  who  was  stopping  there.  She  invited  the  ladies 
to  remain  with  them  over  night ;  but,  firm  in  their  determination  to 
stay  by  their  husbands  until  forced  from  them,  they  declined  the 
invitation,  and  went  with  the  posse  to  the  camp,  one  and  a  half 


264  KANSAS. 

miles  distant.  As  the  cavalcade  approached  the  tents,  hundreds 
of  men,  unwashed  and  unshorn,  cursing  and  reeling  in  their  ine 
briation,  came  around  the  carriage.  Dr.  Stringfellow  was  the 
officer  of  the  day  of  this  "  law-and-order  "  crowd.  He  ordered 
the  prisoners  to  alight,  and  immediately  closed  the  doors  upon 
their  wives.  Their  tears  fell  like  rain,  and,  distinctly  above  the 
cursing,  that  "all  should  be  served  alike,"  "men  and  women 
should  be  strung  up  together,"  were  heard  their  sobs,  which  came 
from  hearts  near  bursting.  The  suspense,  the  untold  weight  of 
bitterness  crowded  into  these  moments  of  separation  from  their 
husbands,  having  fearful  reason  to  suppose  it  was  the  last  earthly 
parting,  cannot  be  measured  in  words.  But  String  fellow  was 
inexorable.  He  said  "  the  northern  press  would  say  he  had  taken 
women  prisoners,  and  it  should  not  be  said."  AVhen  the  hearts 
of  some  of  the  invaders  had  softened  at  their  distress,  and  they 
promised  to  do  all  they  could  for  the  protection  of  the  prisoners, 
Dr.  Stringfellow  said,  "Mark  my  words;  if  any  resistance  is 
offered  at  Lawrence,  or  any  attempt  made  to  rescue  the  prisoners, 
the  orders  are  to  shoot  them  first  of  all." 

Mrs.  J.  asked  him,  "  could  she  be  safe  in  driving  a  team  to 
Lawrence  and  back  again,  to  bring  some  bedding  and  clean  clothes 
for  Mr.  J.  ?  "  Stringfellow  said  yes,  but  she  soon  learned  that  the 
span  of  large  bay  horses  and  the  carriage  she  had  already  there, 
were  "  pressed "  into  the  service,  and  could  not  be  taken  from 
camp.  Mr.  J.'s  brother  had  been  driven  away  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet.  She,  with  Mrs.  B.,  then  returned  to  Judge  Wake- 
field's  in  the  Westport  hack,  whose  driver  offered  them  seats. 
Taking  his  horses  from  the  plough,  Judge  W.  sent  a  son  to  carry 
the  ladies  to  Lawrence.  They  returned  as  quickly  as  possible, 
and,  before  sundown,  through  the  wet  grass,  with  clean  clothing  on 
their  arms,  they  went  to  the  camp.  The  carriage-bed  was  car 
ried  into  the  tent  to  keep  them  from  the  wet  ground,  and,  with 
some  comfortables,  a  bed  was  made.  The  ladies  then  returned 
to  Judge  W.'s.  About  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  Mr.  Jenkins  also  ar 
rived  there,  having  been  released.  His  horses  had  broken  from 
the  camp,  and,  during  the  night,  Judge  W.'s  horses  had  been 
stolen.  Mr.  J.  went  to  Lawrence  on  foot,  and  returned  with 


ARREST   OF   G.    JENKINS   AND    G.    W.    BROWN.          265 

another  pair  of  horses  for  his  wife.  He  recovered,  on  his  second 
trip  down,  the  bay  horses.  The  fine  horse  first  stolen  he  has 
never  been  able  to  recover,  notwithstanding  an  order  given  him  by 
tho.-e  in  authority,  at  the  time  it  was  taken. 

This  was  Tuesday,  the  20th.  Mrs.  Brown  went  over  to  the 
cam,)  early;  and  her  husband  was  already  on  horseback,  sur 
rounded  by  a  guard  of  mounted  men,  to  be  taken  to  Lecompton. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  21st,  after  Judge  Smith  and  G.  W. 
Deitzler  had  been  taken  to  the  "  head- quarters,"  the  house  on 
Mount  Oread,  Mr.  Jenkins  was  again  taken  prisoner.  He  was 
taken  from  his  bed,  being  wholly  exhausted  with  his  illness  and 
fatigue,  and  with  the  rest  carried  to  Lecompton.  On  the  morning 
of  the  22d  of  May  they  appeared  before  Judge  Lecompte  to 
answer  to  the  charge  of  treason.  The  cases  were  continued  until 
the  second  Monday  in  September.  A  request  to  be  discharged  on 
bail  was  made  and  denied.  The  crime  was  alleged  to  have  been 
committed  on  the  1st,  17th,  and  21st  of  May.  G.  W.  Brown 
and  Mr.  Jenkins  proved  that  nearly  the  whole  time  they  were  in 
the  hands  of  the  mob,  who  held  them  without  warrant  or  law, 
and  a  part  of  the  time  in  Missouri.  G.  W.  Brown  had  been  for 
weeks  absent  from  the  territory,  and  was  returning  to  his  home 
when  arrested.  Judge  G.  W.  Smith  had  been  only  four  days  in 
the  territory  since  the  last  of  January.  He  had  always  recom 
mended  resistance  to  the  laws  through  the  legal  tribunals.  G.  W. 
Deitzler  also  showed  his  position  to  be  similar.  Should  bail  have 
been  allowed,  the  design  for  which  they  were  taken  prisoners 
would  have  been  frustrated,  viz.,  that  of  leaving  the  people 
without  some  of  their  leading  and  active  men,  that  more  easily 
the  whole  free-state  movement  might  be  crushed. 

Mrs.  J.  and  B.  went  to  Lecompton  on  the  22d.  They,  with 
the  four  prisoners,  had  one  small  room  in  a  frame  house,  the 
guard  occupying  the  other  room.  Mrs.  J.  and  Mrs.  B.  were 
allowed  to  take  their  meals  at  the  public  house,  while  those  of  the 
prisoners  were  sent  to  them.  Thus,  in  a  little  room,  in  the  intense 
heat,  six  persons  were  obliged  to  stay,  night  and  day.  The  threats 
of  mobbing  them  were  also  so  great  that  Marshal  Donaldson  slept 
one  night  in  the  house,  and  another  sat  up  on  the  outside.  Mrs.  J. 
23 


266  KANSAS. 

went  to  Lawrence  on  the  23d,  returning  the  next  day  with  some 
articles  to  add  to  the  comfort  of  the  prisoners,  such  as  bedding, 
luncheon,  water-pails,  wash-basins,  soap,  towels,  etc.  The  few 
days  they  had  been  in  Lecompton,  notwithstanding  their  frequent 
request  of  the  marshal,  they  had  only  a  two-quart  pail  for  water ; 
and,  in  making  their  toilet,  they  had  had  to  pour  water  into  their 
hands,  arid  use  handkerchiefs  for  towels.  Mrs.  J.  says,  "  You 
never  saw  a  more  pleased  set  of  fellows  than  they  were  when  they 
saw  the  pails,  soap,  and  towels."  On  the  26th  the  marshal 
proposed  to  Mrs.  J.  and  Mrs.  B.  to  board  the  prisoners,  as  the 
house  they  were  in  must  be  given  up.  They  concluded  to  do  it, 
thinking  to  make  them  more  comfortable ;  and  the  next  day, 
towards  night,  Mrs.  J.  returned  from  Lawrence  with  her  span  of 
white  mules,  which  have  been  in  her  service  ever  since,  going 
to  Lawrence  for  provisions  once  or  twice  a  week.  She  brought 
everything  needed  to  commence  housekeeping  in  a  tent.  The 
tent  was  already  up  ;  the  stove  soon  was  set ;  and,  by  all  lending 
a  helping  hand,  the  supper  was  soon  prepared.  To  shade  the 
table,  poles  were  set,  and  quilts  and  blankets  thrown  over  them. 
To  sit  down  once  more  at  a  table,  and  eat  of  food  cooked  in  a 
home-like  way,  brought  a  ray  of  sunshine  to  the  prisoners'  hearts. 

The  military  officer  in  command  was  of  strong  southern  pro 
clivities,  and,  one  would  judge  from  his  words  and  manner,  of 
unpleasant  nature.  The  prisoners  were  not  allowed  to  see  their 
friends.  When  Mrs.  B.  returned,  after  an  absence  of  a  few 
days,  he  made  loud  complaints,  saying  "  he  wished  they  wouli 
either  stay  out  or  stay  in." 

Mrs.  J.  suggested  the  marshal's  request,  and  that  "  if  they 
boarded  them,  they  must  have  provisions." 

He  replied,  in  a  surly,  insulting  way,  "  We  can  find  some  one 
to  get  provisions,  and  you  can  stay  away  altogether." 

A  lady  from  Lawrence  carried  up  the  mail.  While  she  was 
allowed  to  see  the  prisoners  only  at  a  distance,  the  officer  care 
fully  took  from  the  papers  the  New  York  Tribune,  allowing  the 
rest  to  go  in.  Upon  whose  soul  rests  the  sin  of  these  indignities 
offered  to  peaceable,  honorable  men,  and  of  the  sufferings  caused 
to  innocent  women  ? 


ARREST    OF   GOV.    ROBINSON.  267 


ARREST   OF   GOV.    ROBINSON. 

My  husband  and  myself  left  Lawrence,  on  his  way  to  Wash 
ington,  in  the  public  hack  for  Kansas  city.     We  reached  that 
point  about  six  o'clock.     The  Star  of  the  West,  Capt.  Dix  com 
manding,  soon  after  came  down  the  river;   and  the  doctor  imme 
diately  went  on  to  the  boat,  entered  his  name  on  the  clerk's  book, 
and  procured   a  state-room.      We  remained    at  the  hotel   over 
night,  and  took  passage  on  the  boat  the  next  morning  about  six 
and  a  half  o'clock.     There  were  very  few  passengers  ;   everything 
was  quiet ;  and  we  were  making  a  quick  trip.    In  the  afternoon  we 
procured  some  books,  and  went  into  our  state-room.    From  reading 
we  soon  fell  asleep.     At  Lexington  I  was  awakened  by  a  noise  as 
of  many  coming  on  to  the  boat.     It  having  subsided  somewhat, 
I  was  drowsing  again,  when  the  captain  came  to  our  state-room 
door,  opening  upon  the  guard,  with  a  red-faced,  excitable-looking 
person,  of  short  stature,  whom  he  introduced  to  my  husband  as 
Gen.  Shields.     Whether  this  title  of  General  was  acquired  by  Mr. 
Shields'  visit  to  the  territory  at  the  time  of  the  "  Shannon  War," 
last   December,   or  whether  it  arose   from    the   necessity  which 
western  men  seem  to  feel,  that  of  bearing  some  title,  I  have  been 
quite  unable  to  learn.     That  he  was  prominent  in  inciting  that 
invasion,  as  well   as  others   in  the  territory,  is  true.     Another 
person,  of  larger  figure,  and  more  quiet,  dignified  air,  came  soon, 
and  was  introduced  as  Mr.  Bernard,  of  Westport.     After  stating 
"  they  had  come  upon  an  unpleasant  errand,"  they  proceeded  to 
state  its  purport  —  that  of  detaining  my  husband  in  Lexington, 
as  he  was  fleeing  from  an  indictment.     He  assured  them  such  was 
not  the  case  ;  that  he  had  at  all  times  been  in  Lawrence,  or  at 
places  where  he  could  have  been  arrested,  had  the  authorities 
desired  his  arrest;   but  they  had  made  no  effort  to  serve  any 
process  upon  him,  and,  so  far  as  he  knew,  there  was  no  indict 
ment  out  against  him. 

The  two  gentlemen  were  reinforced,  as  the  moments  passed,  by 
eight  or  ten  of  the  "  first  citizens  in  Lexington."  «  They  had  heard 
there  was  disturbance  at  the  wharf,  and  had  come  down  to  see 
the  cause  of  it."  Gen.  Shields  stated  that  « they  had  been  talk- 


268  KANSAS. 

ing  to  the  mob  fifteen  minutes,  endeavoring  to  persuade  them  to 
leave  the  boat ;  but  none  would  be  satisfied  unless  the  governor 
was  retained  in  Lexington,"  while  others  said,  "  Drag  him  out." 
His  own  manner  was  sufficient  to  show  that,  had  the  mob  acted 
upon  the  advice  as  reported,  there  would  have  been  at  least  one 
of  "  the  first  citizens  "  wofully  disappointed.  He  said,  moreover, 
"  Had  it  not  been  reported  that  your  lady  was  on  board,  violence 
would  at  once  have  been  offered  ;  and  no  restraint  could  have  been 
held  over  the  crowd."  The  Yankee  spirit  of  the  lady  rose  at  this, 
and  a  mental  review  was  made  upon  such  chivalry,  such  gallantry, 
of  men  who  hesitate  not  to  steal  and  invade  the  rights  of  others  on 
the  public  thoroughfares.  Such  gallantry  is  the  index,  in  all 
nations  where  it  prevails,  of  the  real  want  of  morality  and  prin 
ciple  —  a  false  glitter,  where  the  whole  under-current  of  the  body 
politic  is  corrupt.  The  various  propositions  of  sending  a  com 
mittee  to  St.  Louis,  that  my  husband  might  there  transact  as  much 
of  his  business,  which  was  urgent,  as  he  could,  and  then  return,  if 
they  should  find,  by  their  proposed  express  to  Gov.  Shannon,  there 
was  an  indictment,  did  not  meet  with  favor  from  this  gallant 
band.  His  request  to  talk  to  the  crowd,  whom  Gen.  Shields  de 
clared  to  be  in  numbers  "  a  cabin  full,"  and  "  infuriated  by  the 
liquors  on  the  boat,  of  which  they  were  drinking  freely,"  was  also 
refused,  with  a  look  of  utter  disdain.  My  husband  told  them  "  he 
would  never  think  to  escape  from  an  indictment  for  a  political 
offence,  and,  had  he  been  doing  so,  of  all  places  he  would  have 
avoided  the  Missouri  river  and  Lexington."  By  way  of  sugges 
tion,  he  added,  "  that  even  in  such  a  case  he  saw  no  reason  for 
another  state  to  interfere,"  at  which  the  excitable  elements  in  Gen. 
Shields'  character  became  yet  more  aroused,  and  he  said,  "  he  did 
not  wish  to  get  into  an  argument,  but,"  he  continued,  "  I  warn 
you,  not  as  a  friend,  for  I  am  not  your  friend  ," —  (to  which  my  hus 
band  laughingly  said,  "  I  do  not  wish  any  one  to  claim  to  be  my 
friend  who  is  not,")  — "  but  I  warn  you  that  this  delay  in  consenting 
to  leave  the  boat  is  only  making  the  matter  worse." 

They  said  the  carriage  was  ready  to  take  us  to  the  town ;  that 
in  two  or  three  days,  or  perhaps  by  the  next  boat,  they  would 
learn  if  there  was  an  indictment,  and,  as  soon  as  the  messenger 


ARREST  OF  GOVERNOR  ROBINSON.  269 

to  Gov.  Shannon  should  return,  if  they  did  not  learn  sooner  there 
was  none,  they  would  leave  him  to  pursue  his  journey.  My 
husband,  desiring  to  do  that  which  was  right  in  the  matter,  although 
his  feelings  prompted  him  to  a  forcible  maintenance  of  his  rights, 
let  the  consequences  be  what  they  might,  asked  me  "what  he 
should  do."  My  counsels  were  to  decline  going  with  them.  This 
was  an  unexpected  phase  of  the  matter;  but  the  clerk  of  the 
boat  stepped  into  our  state-room  at  this  juncture  of  affairs,  and 
advised  me,  for  the  sake  of  my  husband's  safety,  to  consent  to  his 
going  with  them.  The  gentlemen  gathered  about  the  door  pledged 
themselves  to  protect  him  from  all  violence.  The  exact  value  of 
such  pledges  I  was  unable  to  estimate,  not  knowing  why  men  who 
would  invade  all  the  rights  of  American  citizens  on  the  public 
thoroughfares,  would  not  as  easily,  without  compunction  of  con 
science,  break  their  plighted  word,  if  policy  whispered  a  different 
course.  My  only  hope  at  that  moment  was  in  this  matter  of 
policy,  and  I  at  last  consented  to  go  off  the  boat  at  Lexington. 
Having  accepted  the  hospitalities  of  Mr.  Sawyer,  by  far  the 
most  gentlemanly  man  present,  and  whose  face  betokened  kindli 
ness  of  heart,  we  made  preparations  to  leave  the  boat,  which  Gen. 
S.  observed  must  be  done  without  the  knowledge  of  the  "  cabin 
fall "  of  "  drunken  men."  We  passed  out  on  the  guard  of  the 
boat.  The  ruffianly  horde  were  standing  all  around  the  gangways, 
and  on  the  levee.  One  captain,  so  drunk  he  could  not  talk  plain, 
was  ordering  his  men.  Another  boat  soon  came,  and  the  crowd 
rushed  on  it  to  search  for  Gov.  Reeder,  who  was  still  in  Lawrence. 
At  night  four  men  stood  guard  near  Mr.  Sawyer's.  The  next  morn 
ing,  having  decided  to  continue  my  own  journey,  Mr.  S.  kindly 
took  me  to  the  boat.  The  following  day  my  husband  went  with 
Mr.  S.  to  his  office,  and  was  there  introduced  to  several  of  the 
principal  citizens,  with  whom  he  had  familiar  conversation.  Dur 
ing  the  day,  two  men,  known  for  their  boasting  and  cowardice, 
came  into  Lexington  from  the  country,  and  tried  to  excite  the 
people  to  some  violence  against  him.  At  last,  some  one,  who  knew 
them  well,  proposed  to  let  them  meet  him,  equally  well  armed  as 
themselves.  This  proposal  at  once  produced  quiet.  The  week 
passed  away  without  any  word  being  brought  back  from  Gov. 
23* 


270  KANSAS. 

Shannon.  Whether  it  required  all  this  time  to  make  out  the 
necessary  papers,  after  finding  the  indictment,  we  have  no  means 
of  knowing.  It  was  rumored  that  Gov.  Shannon  had  sent  a  requi 
sition  upon  the  Governor  of  Missouri  for  the  return  of  my  hus 
band  to  the  territory.  A  few  evenings  after  his  detention  at 
Lexington,  a  Dr.  McDonald,  of  California,  who  tended  upon  him 
when  he  was  shot  in  Sacramento,  and  who  was  temporarily  in 
Lexington,  called  to  see  him.  The  people  imagined  he  was  some 
person  from  Lawrence,  and  that  a  rescue  was  in  contemplation. 
In  a  very  short  time  several  hundred  men  had  gathered  around 
Mr.  Sawyer's  house.  Mr.  S.  disliked  such  a  state  of  things,  and 
my  husband  preferred  to  go  to  the  hotel ;  so,  with  a  large  guard, 
he  went  down  to  the  hotel  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening.  The  steps  were  full  of  men,  and  he  passed  in  through 
them.  After  sitting  a  while  in  the  parlor,  conversing  with  the 
landlady  and  other  ladies,  he  was  attended  to  his  room  by  a  guard 
of  three  men.  After  a  day  or  two,  he  took  his  meals  in  the  pub 
lic  dining-hall.  Many  of  the  citizens  called  to  see  him,  and  were 
acquainted  with  all  the  plans  of  the  new  invasion.  They  said, 
"  there  would  be  a  fight." 

He  told  them  "  he  did  not  think  so  ;  there  would  be  no  occa 
sion  for  a  fight.  No  one  intended  to  resist  the  arrests  of  the 
United  States  Marshal." 

They  said,  "  it  would  make  no  difference  whether  they  resisted 
the  marshal  or  not, —  they  were  determined  to  have  a  fight.  They 
would  attack  and  destroy  Lawrence,  then  the  other  towns  gener 
ally,  and  drive  the  free-state  men  from  the  territory."  A  few  of 
them  said,  "  they  did  not  care  for  Kansas  particularly,  or  the 
laws,  but  were  determined  to  get  up  a  fight ;  then  the  North  would 
be  aroused,  a  general  war  ensue,  and  the  dissolution  of  the  Union 
would  be  the  result."  Others  said,  "  it  was  to  be  a  war  of  ex 
termination;  if  the  free-state  men  could  sustain  themselves  against 
the  pro-slavery  men,  they  would  acquiesce  and  give  it  up." 

Col.  Preston  returned  from  his  interview  with  Gov.  Price  on 
Sunday,  the  18th.  He  had  orders  from  the  governor,  to  the 
sheriff  of  that  county,  to  deliver  my  husband  into  Col.  Preston's 
hands.  A  boat  being  at  the  wharf,  it  was  decided  to  go  on  board ; 


ARREST    OF    GOV.    ROBINSON.  271 

but  just  as  he  was  retiring  for  the  night  to  his  state-room,  Col. 
Preston  altered  his  mind,  and  they  returned  to  the  town.  Col. 
Preston  and  Win.  Donaldson,  with  tbc  prisoner  in  a  carriage,  left 
Lexington  on  the  19th,  and  reached  Independence  the  game  night. 
The  next  day  they  went  to  Westport,  and  remained  there  until  the 
22J,  they  declaring,  without  any  hesitancy,  that  "  Lawrence  would 
be  attacked,  and  they  wanted  him  to  remain  in  Westport  until 
after  it  was  done."  On  the  night  of  the  22d,  having  had  the 
additional  guard  of  Capt.  Long's  party  of  Wyandot  Indians,  they 
arrived  at  Franklin.  They  told  him  repeatedly  that  in  case  his 
friends  attempted  to  rescue  him,  they  should  kill  him  the  first 
thing.  About  midnight,  all  having  retired  for  the  night,  at 
Franklin,  word  came  from  Gov.  Shannon,  to  Col.  Preston,  to  re 
turn  to  Leavenworth  by  way  of  Kansas  city,  as  there  was  danger 
of  a  rescue  ;  that  "  he  should  hold  him  responsible  for  Gov.  Robin 
son's  safety,  and  if  any  harm  befell  him  it  would  bring  on  civil 
war."  (At  Leavenworth  he  was  informed  that  Gov.  Shannon 
feared  a  rescue  from  his  own  men.) 

So,  the  long  way  to  Westport  and  Kansas  city,  through  the 
swollen  creeks  arid  deep  ravines,  and  in  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
was  to  be  retraced.  They  reached  Kansas  city  the  next  evening, 
having  taken  a  longer  route  to  avoid  the  Westport  and  Kansas 
city  road.  Whether  this  was  done  through  fear  of  attacks  from 
the  bands  of  South  Carolina  foot-pads  infesting  the  usually  trav 
elled  way,  was  not  stated.  After  a  little  rest,  a  boat-whistle 
sounded  on  the  night  air.  The  officers,  with  their  prisoner,  were 
again  astir,  and  the  morning  of  the  24th  found  them  at  Leaven 
worth.  The  prisoner  was  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  deputy 
sheriff  of  Leavenworth,  who  appointed  Capt.  Martin,  of  the  Kick- 
apoo  Rangers,  and  three  others,  his  guard.  On  the  28th,  when 
the  general  reign  of  terror  commenced  at  Leavenworth,  those  who- 
had  constituted  themselves  a  committee  of  vigilance  were  deter 
mined  to  drive  from  the  country  every  free-state  man,  and  they 
made  many  threats  of  taking  my  husband  from  the  hands  of  his 
keepers,  and  hanging  him.  Capt.  Martin,  learning  of  this  inten 
tion,  and  determined  no  ill  should  come  to  him  while  in  his 
charge,  sent  for  more  of  his  men.  The  marshal  and  Judge  Le- 
conipte  came  into  Lawrence  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  threats  of 


272  KANSAS. 

the  mob  became  less  loud.  But  the  most  bitter  feeling  was  prev 
alent  among  the  pro-slavery  men. 

Mr.  S.,  of  the  investigating  committee,  called  upon  Gov.  K. 
soon  after  his  arrival  in  Lawrence,  and,  while  talking  with  him,  a 
pro-slavery  man  present  interrupted  him  with,  "  You  had  better 
not  talk  so  much." 

Mr.  S.  looked  at  him  in  astonishment,  and  the  man  continued. 
"  (J — d  d — n  you,  I  'd  as  soon  put  a  bullet  through  your  abolition 
head  as  not !  "  The  fierceness  of  the  man's  character  was  prevented 
from  further  development  by  the  interposition  of  the  marshal. 
Judge  Lecompte  also  made  a  formal  call  upon  the  prisoner,  when 
he  took  the  opportunity  to  ask  of  him  the  nature  of  his  indict 
ment,  and  if  there  was  more  than  one  against  him. 

The  "  Little  Territorial  Court,"  the  red-faced,  chubby  man, 
making  an  effort  towards  dignity,  replied,  "  There  are  two  ;  one 
for  usurping  office,  and  one  for  high  treason." 

"  Does  the  bill  for  usurping  office  include  all  my  connection  with 
the  free-state  movement,  or  is  the  indictment  for  treason  founded 
upon  this  also  ?  " 

Judge  Lecompte  replied,  substantially,  "  The  indictment  for 
usurping  office  relates  to  the  state  movement,  and  the  office  you 
have  assumed  under  it.  You  are  indicted  for  treason  because  you 
have  organized  and  counselled  forces  to  act  against  authorities 
recognized  and  appointed  under  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill.  You 
have  assisted  in  arming  men,  thus  resisting  the  movements  of  a 
legal  body,  and  thus  waging  war  against  the  United  States." 

"  Dees  that  relate  to  the  occurrences  in  Lawrence  in  last  No 
vember  and  December  ?  " 

"Well,  such  things,  of  course,  cannot  be  plainly  stated;  but 
that  is  its  chief  basis,  I  suppose." 

Let  it  be  sounded  in  the  ears  of  the  American  people,  that  high 
treason  against  the  United  States  consists  in  arming  one's  self  and 
friends,  in  defence  of  homes  and  property,  in  face  of  a  mob,  who 
threaten  innocent  men  with  death,  and  timid  women  with  a  fate 
in  comparison  with  which  death  were  infinitely  preferable. 

On  the  first  of  June,  my  husband,  under  the  charge  of  his  guard, 
arrived  at  Lecompton,  and  was  placed  in  a  tent  with  the  other 
prisoners ;  thus  making  seven  persons  crowded  into  one  tent. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

EXCITEMENT   IN   MISSOURI  —  OUTRAGES   IN   THE   TERRI 
TORY. 

I  ARRIVED  at  Kansas  city  on  the  night  of  June  3d,  at  twelve 
o'clock,  after  my  eastern  flying  trip,  and  in  hopes  soon  to  join  my 
husband.  I  had  reached  Chicago,  on  the  homeward  journey,  when 
the  first  uncertain  news  of  the  sacking  of  Lawrence  came.  A  few 
hours'  delay,  in  order  to  gain  more  certain  intelligence,  followed, 
and  the  unexpected  arrival  of  a  friend  from  the  ill-fated  city  gave 
to  the  wearing  suspense  of  uncertainties  the  vividness  and  sadness 
of  realities.  He  was  doubtful  as  to  the  fate  of  any  prisoners  in 
their  hands,  yet  for  them  he  feared  the  worst.  Still  hoping  all 
things  good,  however,  with  the  habitual  buoyancy  of  my  character 
unsubdued,  I  pursued  my  journey,  receiving  from  strangers  in  Illinois 
many  tangible  proofs  of  their  sympathy  for  Kansas,  and  for  those 
battling  in  the  cause.  The  last  day  or  two  of  the  trip  on  the  Mis 
souri  river  rumors  of  war  became  more  frequent.  Inflammatory 
extras  were  thrown  upon  the  boats  at  different  landings.  People 
at  Lexington,  and  other  points  along  the  river,  were  much  excited, 
and  preparing  for  a  new  invasion.  The  extras  stated  the  murder 
of  eight  pro-slavery  men,  by  the  abolitionists,  and  the  cruel  muti 
lation  of  their  bodies  ;  the  death  of  the  United  States  Marshal,  of 
H.  C.  Pate,  and  J.  McGec.  Deeds  of  blood  and  violence,  of 
which  they  were  hourly  guilty,  were  charged  upon  the  free-state 
men.  The  following  is  a  sample  of  the  incendiary  extras  which 
flew  through  the  border  counties  :  "  Murder  is  the  watchword  and 
midnight  deed  of  a  scattered  and  scouting  band  of  abolitionists, 
who  had  courage  only  to  fly  from  the  face  of  a  wronged  and  in 
sulted  people,  when  met  at  their  own  solicitation.  Men,  peaceable 


274  KANSAS. 

and  quiet,  cannot  travel  on  the  public  roads  of  Kansas,  without 
being  caught,  searched,  imprisoned,  and  their  lives,  perhaps,  taken. 
No  Southerner  dare  venture  alone  and  unarmed  on  her  roads  !  " 
Such  were  the  false  statements  made  to  arouse  the  passions  of  the 
border  men. 

A  short  colloquy  on  the  boat  between  one  of  the  surveyors  in 
the  employ  of  Gen.  Calhoun,  and  others,  will  show  the  bitterness 
of  their  feelings.  As  the  boat  left  Lexington  he  came  into  the 
ladies'  cabin,  and  said  to  his  wife,  the  daughter  of  a  Wyandot,  that 
"  Donaldson  was  killed." 

I  said  to  him,  "  Will  you  tell  me  what  Donaldson  it  is?" 

<k  John  Donaldson,"  was  his  curt  reply. 

Not  knowing  their  Christian  names,  I  asked,  "  Is  it  the  United 
States  Marshal  ?  " 

He  then  said,  showing  a  very  evident  desire  to  make  no  explan 
ations,  "  He  was  auditor  ;  "  and  his  wife,  showing  more  animation 
than  from  her  listless  manner  one  would  have  supposed  possible, 
added,  "  He  was  a  very  fine  man." 

To  my  question,  "  Were  there  others  injured  ?  "  the  surveyor 
said,  "  Yes,  the  abolitionists  have  killed  several  other  persons." 

This  seemed  to  me  a  doubtful  story,  and  I  so  stated  my  belief, 
adding,  that  "  such  stories  were  put  in  circulation  for  the  purpose 
of  exciting  another  invasion."  Reliable  persons  had  informed  me 
that  the  sacking  of  Lawrence  without  resistance  to  the  "regularly 
organized  militia,"  was  regarded  by  them  as  signal  a  defeat  as  the 
Dec.  invasion ;  the  invaders  having  made  preparations  for  a  siege, 
and  the  want  of  defence  on  the  part  of  Lawrence  had  again  foiled 
their  plans.  These  reports  of  outrages  committed  by  the  free-state 
party  seemed  but  another  scheme  to  bring  about  civil  war. 

The  Wyaridot  lady,  with  great  bitterness,  replied,  "  These  stories 
come  from  the  right  side  to  be  true  !  " 

As  I  was  revolving  in  my  mind  with  what  simplicity  she  had 
revealed  her  proclivities,  a  gentleman  sitting  by  said  to  the  sur 
veyor,  "  Are  these  Buford  men  enlisted  in  the  territorial  mili 
tia  ?  " 

With  some  hesitancy,  yet  a  half  leer  of  satisfaction  spreading 
itself  over  his  broad,  bloated  face,  he  replied,  "  They  are  residents 


EXCITEMENT   IN    MISSOURI,    ETC.  275 

of  the  territory."  I  suggested  their  residence  was  of  short  dura 
tion,  when  the  lady,  who  was  "  R.  G.  Q.,"  said,  "  These  men  and 
the  Missourians  went  into  the  territory  to  make  homes,  while  the 
eastern  people  went  there  to  vote,  and  then  returned." 

Such  astounding  developments,  coupled  with  the  statement  that 
had  fallen  from  her  lips  the  same  morning,  "  that  her  husband 
was  the  handsomest  man  on  the  boat,  and  because  of  his  beauty  she 
married  him,"  seemed  to  me  all  I  had  better  try  to  believe  at 
once.  So  I  retired  to  my  old  seat  to  ruminate  upon  wars  in  Kan 
sas,  and  the  blessings  resulting  to  mankind  in  general  from  a  large 
diversity  of  tastes  and  dispositions. 

There  were  several  pro-slavery  families  on  board,  very  pleasant 
people.  There  was  a  lovely  girl  going  to  her  home,  in  Missouri,  from 
a  boarding-school  in  Illinois.  There  was  a  young  lady  from  Ken 
tucky,  of  intelligence  and  refinement,  pro-slavery,  yet  with  her  I 
had  many  pleasant  talks.  A  Missourian  returning  to  Missouri 
with  a  Texan  bride,  delicate  and  pale  as  the  light  gossamer  robes 
in  which  she  floated,  was  very  affable  and  intelligent.  The  young 
Shawnee  girl,  with  her  white  husband,  on  her  bridal  tour,  was 
educated,  and  pleasant,  and  from  all,  with  the  exception  named,  I 
received  the  common  courtesies  of  life.  This  Wyandot  lady  also 
stated,  with  great  satisfaction  of  manner,  that  "  Gov.  Robinson 
would  be  hung  ;  "  and  was  not  a  little  displeased  that  her  listeners 
doubted  the  statement. 

On  arriving  at  Kansas  city  we  found  the  stage  would  go  to 
Westport  early  in  the  morning.  There  were  four  of  us  to  go,  and 
we  would  attempt  the  passage  together,  notwithstanding  bands  of 
armed  men  were  infesting  the  highways.  Arrangements  were 
made,  and  I  slept  a  few  hours.  As  I  sat  with  bonnet  and  shawl 
on,  the  next  morning,  watching  the  stage,  I  saw  it  leave  the  door 
without  passengers,  and  the  clerk  of  the  house  following  after. 
He  asked  the  driver,  "  Why  he  left  his  passengers  ?  Would  he 
return  ?  Would  he  wait  for  them  to  come  where  the  coach  then 
was  ?  "  To  all  his  questions  he  received  sullen,  indefinite  replies. 
The  gentleman,  knowing  our  anxiety  to  get  into  the  territory, 
coaxed  and  threatened.  But  it  all  proved  useless.  He  would  not 
carry  us  to  Westport,  where  we  could  meet  the  stage  for  Law- 


276  KANSAS. 

rence,  and  no  carriage  could  go  from  the  hotel,  because  horses 
were  continually  taken  from  wagons,  carriages,  or  riders,  and 
pressed  into  the  service  of  "law  and  order."  So,  until  the  day 
after  the  next,  as  the  stage  went  out  only  three  days  in  the  week, 
returning  on  the  alternate  days,  we  would  be  obliged  to  remain. 
This  would  have  been  unendurable  had  not  the  hotel  still  been 
in  the  possession  of  Massachusetts  gentlemen.  Five  Massachu 
setts  families  were  still  in  the  house,  also  Mr.  C.,  of  Philadelphia, 
who  had  sometimes  made  a  home  with  us,  had  just  returned  with 
his  wife  from  the  Quaker  city. 

The  threats  of  destroying  this  hotel  were  still  frequent,  and 
nightly  the  danger  of  attack  was  imminent.  The  mayor  of  the 
city  had  kept  out  a  guard  one  or  two  nights.  But  he  had  de 
clined  doing  this  longer,  and,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  being 
called,  it  was  decided  to  ask  the  "  Eldridges  "  to  sell  the  hotel,  to 
save  it  from  the  fury  of  South  Carolinians  and  border  men ;  they 
expressed  to  them  at  the  same  time  their  regret  that  such  was 
the  excitement  against  it. 

Again  and  again  the  mob  had  assembled,  and  with  groans, 
whose  hideousness  no  one  can  appreciate  who  was  not  forced  to 
listen,  and  with  yells,  declared  the  house  should  come  down.  The 
"Eldridges"  proposed  their  terms,  which  were  accepted,  and,  on  the 
morning  of  the  tenth,  the  hotel  passed  into  the  keeping  of  two 
pro-slavery  men.  Little  curly,  woolly  heads,  sitting  in  the  door 
ways,  proclaimed  also  the  house  was  under  a  new  rule.  One, 
with  skin  slightly  colored,  and  fiery  red  hair,  looked  oddly,  and 
bore  a  marked  resemblance  to  the  little  boy  of  his  own  size,  whose 
attendant  he  seemed  to  be. 

On  the  second  of  June  a  battle  was  fought  near  Prairie  city. 
For  several  days,  a  portion  of  the  posse,  Buford  men  and  Caro 
linians,  together  with  Missourians,  had  been  committing  depreda 
tions  upon  the  settlers,  taking  several  of  them  prisoners.  Capt. 
Brown,  on  hearing  of  the  outrages,  called  his  company  together, 
and  started  on  the  eve  of  Sunday,  travelling  all  night.  At  day 
light,  Capt.  Brown  made  the  attack  upon  Pate  and  his  company, 
who  were  arranged  behind  their  wagons.  Pate  also  placed  the 
unarmed  prisoners,  whom  he  had  taken,  in  front  of  them,  as  a 


EXCITEMENT    IN   MISSOURI,    ETC.  277 

shield.  The  forces  were  not  far  from  equal,  Pate's  party  num 
bering  a  few  more  than  the  other.  After  a  two  hours'  fire,  Pate 
sent  forward  one  of  his  men,  with  a  prisoner,  and  a  white  flag, 
and  surrendered  unconditionally.  A  few  of  Pate's  company  fled 
to  Missouri.  Among  them  was  Coleman,  the  murderer ;  twenty- 
six  men  were  taken  prisoners  by  Capt.  Brown.  A  quantity  of 
goods,  stoleh  from  Lawrence,  was  found  in  their  wagons.  A  day 
or  two  after  this,  bands  of  South  Carolinians  were  threading  their 
way  towards  Bull  Creek,  and  men  from  Independence,  Lexington, 
Westford,  and  Clay  county,  generally,  were  fast  going  up  the 
Santa  Fe  road  to  join  the  same  bands.  One  hundred  and  eighty 
men,  who  had  been  camped  near  Bull  Creek,  went  nearer  Pal 
myra,  and  camped  back  of  the  town,  in  a  ravine.  About  one 
hundred  free-state  men  were  in  camp  about  two  miles  beyond. 
From  near  Hickory  Point  and  Lawrence  one  hundred  men  were 
marching  to  reinforce  those  last  named.  Whitfield  left  his  seat  be 
fore  the  investigating  committee,  June  2d,  at  the  head  of  a  large 
body  of  armed  men,  to  conquer,  I  suppose,  his  constituents  in  the 
territory,  his  stated  object  to  relieve  H.  C.  Pate.  While  Grov.  Shan 
non,  in  every  instance,  has  stationed  troops  in  a  town  after  it  has  been 
sacked,  he  now  saw  the  free-state  men  rallying  to  protect  them 
selves,  and  feared  the  slave  power  would  lose  the  ground  gained 
through  his  servility.  He  heard,  too,  of  aid  coming  from  out  of 
Kansas,  and  issued  a  proclamation  on  the  fourth,  "  commanding 
all  persons  belonging  to  military  companies  unauthorized  by  law 
to  disperse,  otherwise  they  would  be  dispersed  by  the  United 
States  troops."  It  required  all  civil  officers  of  the  government  to 
be  watchful  in  enforcing  the  laws,  and  protecting  the  property 
and  persons  of  all  law-abiding  citizens.  All  aggressive  parties 
outside  the  territory  will  be  repulsed.  The  President's  proclama 
tion  of  February  llth  was  appended,  and  Gov.  Shannon  stated 
that  it  would  be  strictly  enforced.  A  requisition  was  also  made 
upon  Col.  Sumner  for  a  force  sufficient  to  compel  obedience  to 
the  proclamation. 

On  the  fifth,  Col.  Sumner  broke  in  upon  the  free-state  camp, 
and    released   Capt.   Pate    and   fellow-prisoners.     Col.    Sumner 
24 


278  KANSAS. 

ordered  the  free-state  men  to  return  quietly  to  their  homes,  and 
then,  turning  to  Pate,  said,  "  What  business  have  you  here  ?  " 

"  I  am  here  bj  orders  of  Gov.  Shannon." 

"  I  saw  Gov,  Shannon  yesterday,  and  your  case  was  specially 
considered,  and  he  asserted  you  were  not  here  by  his  orders." 
He  then  added,  "  You  are  Missourians,  all  of  you,  and  when  you 
crossed  your  state  line,  you  trampled  on  state  sovereignty.  Now, 
go,  sir,  in  the  direction  from  whence  you  came;  "  and,  as  he  closed 
his  remarks,  Col.  Sunnier  waved  his  hand  for  Pate  and  his  party 
to  leave.  So  the  brave  H.  0.  Pate  returned  to  Westport  and 
Kansas  city.  He  acknowledged  the  bravery  of  Capt.  Brown, 
for  he  said  Capt.  Brown  rode  about  them  sword  in  hand,  and 
commanded  a  surrender,  and  they  were  obliged  to  make  it.  He 
spoke  well  of  them  in  their  treatment  of  him  while  a  prisoner, 
but  with  Col.  Sumner's  treating  him  with  so  little  deference  he 
felt  quite  outraged,  and  talked  of  a  challenge. 

The  pro-slavery  camp  was  also  visited  by  Col.  Sumner,  and 
ordered  to  leave  the  territory.  A  part  did  so;  but  another  part 
of  Whitfield's  force  went  towards  Osawattomie.  On  the  sixth, 
at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  them, 
fully  armed  and  much  intoxicated,  entered  Osawattamie,  ?nd 
commenced  their  work  of  house-breaking,  burning  and  pillage. 
They  sacked  the  town,  taking  everything  of  value,  money,  pro 
visions,  clothing  and  jewelry.  Sixteen  horses  were  taken,  while 
the  owners  looked  on.  Among  them  were  two  from  the  United 
States  mail  coach,  running  between  Fort  Scott  and  Westport, 

On  the  eighth,  Capt.  Brown's  company,  having  been  disbanded 
at  Palmyra,  was  disarmed.  Hearing  of  the  sack  of  Lawrence, 
they  had  again  organized,  and  were  deliberating  how  bc*t  to 
protect  themselves,  and  neighbors,  when  the  troops,  who  should 
have  protected  Osawattomie,  came  upon  them,  and  took  their 
arms.  Word  had  been  sent,  previous  to  the  attack,  to  some  of  the 
free-state  camps,  and  messengers  were  immediately  sent  to  the 
nearest  camp  of  the  dragoons,  asking  for  protection  for  Osawat 
tomie.  The  messengers  stated  that  the  free-state  men  had  been 
disbanded  with  the  promise  of  protection.  Now,  Osawattomie 
was  calling  to  them  for  aid,  and  unless  they  would  march  to  their 


EXCITEMENT    IN   MISSOURI,    ETC.  279 

relief,  the  free-state  men  would  rally,  and  at   once  go  to  their 
assistance. 

Lieut.  Mclntosh  said  he  had  heard  rumors  of  an  attack,  simi 
lar  to  those  brought  by  the  messengers,  and  that  he  had  sent  an 
express  in  the  morning,  to  the  camps  near  Osawattomie,  inform- 
in:.:  them  of  the  contemplated  attack.     The  messengers  stated  that 
unless  they  could  carry  back  word  that  something  definite  would 
bo  done,  for  the  protection  of  Osawattomie,  they  would  immedi 
ately  march  to  that  place.     The  lieutenant  then  stated  that  every 
thing  tlu.t  could  be  done,  would  be;  that  he  would  himself  start 
for  the  camp  below.     While  he  was  preparing  to  leave,  he  accused 
the  free-state  people  of  being  unwilling  to  obey  the   Draconian 
laws  of  the  territory.     He  was  on  his  way  toward  Osawattomie. 
The  free-state  men,  thinking  their  friends  would  be  protected, 
returned  to  their  homes,  leaving  the  field  to  the  dragoons.     The 
next  ni<>-ht  brought  the  intelligence  of  the  sack  of  Osawattomie. 
The  troops  could  not  save  Lawrence,  because  Col.  Sumner  had  no 
orders  to  act.     They  did  not  save   Osawattomie.     Neither  did 
they  protect  Leavenworth,  only  three  miles  from  the  fort,  during 
its  reign  of  terror.     While  the  free-state  men  showed  a  disposition 
to  protect  themselves,  they  were  not  allowed  to  do  it ;   yet  rob 
beries  and  murders  were  repeated  every  day,  in  the  early  part  of 
June.     Every  evening's  intelligence  was  of  some  fresh  outrage. 
On  the  evening  of  the  fourth,  Mr.  C.,  counsel  for  the  prisoners, 
with  his  wife,  returned  from  Lecompton.     Judge  C.  was  also  with 
them,  having  gone  as  a  witness  in  the  case.     At  Lecompton  both 
of  them  were   ordered  from  the   town  by  a  bully  from  Leaven- 
worth,  by  the  name  of  Kelly.     He  ordered  Judge  C.  to  leave,  and 
when  he  applied  to  Gov.  Shannon  for  protection,  the  reply  of  the 
governor  of  the  territory  was,  "  Your  people  are  shooting  down 
our  people,  and  I  can  give  you  no  protection."     The  meaning  of 
this  is,  the  free-state  people  are  shooting  down  the  pro-slavery, 
which  was  false  in  reality,  and  which  still  further  proved  the  par 
tisan  character  of  the  government.     After  ordering  Judge  C.  to 
leave,  he  met  Mr.  C.,  as  he  was  returning  from  the  clerk's  office 
(where  he  was  having  some  papers  necessary  in  my  husband's 
case  made  out)  to  Shannon's  office. 


280  KANSAS. 

The  following  dialogue  took  place  : 

Ruffian,  in  a  rough  manner,  —  "  You  are  ordered  to  leave  Le- 
comptori." 

Mr.  C.,  in  a  very  composed  manner,  asked,  "  Do  you  order  me 
to  leave  upon  your  own  responsibility,  or  at  the  suggestion  of 
others  ?  " 

"  I  tell  you  you  are  ordered  to  leave  Lecompton." 

"  Yes,  but  such  proceedings  are  not  usully  executed  so  summa 
rily,  and  it  would  gratify  me  to  know  who  takes  the  responsibility 
of  ordering  me  from  Lecompton." 

"  I  take  the  responsibility;  so  do  others.     I  tell  you  to  leave." 

"  "Well,  what  may  your  name  be?  " 

The  ruffian  demurred  at  giving  his  name;  but,  as  Mr.  C. 
assured  him  that,  in  all  civilized  countries,  the  accused  were 
allowed  to  know  the  names  of  their  accusers,  he  said,  "  You  know 
me.  You  saw  me  at  Leaven  worth  at  the  first  election." 

"  I  do  not  recollect  having  had  the  honor  of  your  acquaintance ; 
but  of  course  you  are  an  honorable  man,  and  are  not  ashamed  of 
your  name." 

"  Well,  my  name  is  Kelly ;  and  you  are  ordered  to  leave  Le 
compton." 

Mr.  C.  retained  his  seat,  while  Mr.  Kelly,  like  a  witness  on  the 
stand,  was  standing  before  him,  and  the  highly  honorable  governor 
was  sitting  by. 

"  In  all  courts  of  justice  it  is  customary  for  the  accused  to  make 
a  defence  before  judgment  is  pronounced,  and  it  would  please  me 
to  know  of  what  I  am  accused." 

After  refusing,  for  a  time,  to  make  any  charges,  Mr.  Kelly 
said,  "  You  have  written  articles  for  the  Herald  of  Freedom." 

"  That  is  a  misstatement.     What  other  charges  have  you?  " 

"  You  have  been  connected  with  the  free-state  movement." 

"You  are  so  honorable  a  man,  you  will,  of  course,  allow  me  to 
bring  witnesses  to  prove  this  charge  untrue." 

"  Well,  you  are  known  to  be  the  intimate  friend  of  Gov.  Reeder 
and  Gov.  Robinson." 

Mr.  C.,  rising,  said,  "That  is  sufficient;  "  and,  turning  to  Gov. 
Shannon,  asked,  as  counsel  for  Gov.  Robinson,  —  having  come 


EXCITEMENT    IN   MISSOURI,  ETC.  281 

there  expecting  an  examination  in  his  case,  —  if  he  had  no  pro 
tection  to  offer  him.  The  governor  signified  he  had  none.  Then 
Mr.  C.,  gathering  up  his  papers  in  a  dignified  manner,  bade  him 
"good-afternoon,"  and  walked  out  of  the  house.  The  governor 
seemed  to  have  a  sudden  thought.  He  stepped  out  after  him,  and 
sp;.ke  to  some  of  the  ruffians  a  moment,  when  one  of  them  told  Mr. 
C.  "  he  could  stay  in  Lecompton  as  long  as  he  wanted  to." 

Judge  C.,  with  the  wife  of  the  counsel,  rode  out  of  town  a  short 
distance  to  wait  for  her  husband.  They  were  stopped  by  three 
men,  armed  with  U.  S.  muskets,  as  they  approached  Westport.  on 
their  way  back  to  Kansas  city.  The  question  whether  they  were 
armed  was  asked  by  one  of  the  foot-pads ;  to  which  Mrs.  C. 
replied,  "  No,  sir."  They  were  then  allowed  to  pass.  Westport 
was  full  of  armed  men,  and  a  large  company  were  drilling  in  front 
of  Milton  McGee's,  two  miles  from  Kansas  city ;  but,  for  some 
reason,  they  were  allowed  to  pass  unmolested. 

The  next  morning,  June  4th,  Judge  C.  was  sitting  in  the  parlor, 
relating  to  three  or  four  of  us  ladies  his  adventures  of  the  three 
last  weeks,  his  detention  at  Parkville  by  a  mob,  his  arrest  at 
Leavenworth  by  a  gang  of  self-constituted  authorities,  and  his 
being  driven  from  Lecompton  by  an  Irish  bully,  the  governor 
acquiescing.  We  were  all  laughing  merrily  at  the  pictures  he 
drew  of  his  forlorn  condition,  being  marched  about  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet,  and  assuring  us,  in  his  own  peculiar  way,  that  it  "did 
confuse  a  fellow's  ideas  somewhat  when  he  expected  a  punch  from 
the  bayonets  every  moment."  But,  at  this  instant,  a  rough,  burly 
fellow,  red-faced,  and  with  hair  of  yet  more  fiery  color,  came 
through  the  reading-room  into  the  parlor.  He  came  a  little  way 
towards  Judge  C.,  and  called  him  to  him.  He  then  asked,  "  Is 
your  name  C.?  " 

"  It  is,  sir." 

"  You  are  my  prisoner." 

"  By  what  authority?  "  said  Judge  C. 

The  only  reply  was  a  rough  gn.  sp  of  the  shoulder  and  wrist  of 

Judge  C.,  with  the  words,  "  Come  along,"  as  he  rudely  drew  him 

into   the  reading-room.     Mrs.  C.   the  Philadelphia   lady,  and    a 

brave  Massachusetts  woman  in  th«j  house,  were  close  to  Judge  C.'s 

24* 


282  KANSAS. 

side.  The  rude  law-and-order  man  stated  that  Jones  had  just  been 
shot,  and  was  dead,  and  that  Judge  C.  was  the  murderer. 

Mrs.  C.  said,  "  Judge  C.  is  a  friend  of  ours,  and  he  is  an  inno 
cent  man." 

Some  men  of  Kansas  city,  at  work  on  the  levee,  in  front  of  the 
hotel,  had  gathered  near.  The  official  appealed  to  them  for  help ; 
but  not  a  hand  was  raised  to  aid  him,  while  he  declared  "he 
would  not  give  a  '  fip '  for  such  a  town  as  that."  Seeing  how 
matters  stood,  that  he  was  to  get  no  help,  he  said  "  he  was  mis 
taken  in  the  man,"  and  spoke  of  two  other  free-state  men  as 
implicated  in  the  pretended  assassination  of  the  day  before,  who 
had  been  in  the  states  since  January,  and  were  not  yet  in  the 
territory. 

He  then  said,  "  Were  you  not  driven  out  of  Leavenworth?  " 

"  I  was  told  to  go,  sir." 

To  Judge  C.'s  explanation  that  he  was  now  on  his  way  to  Balti 
more,  his  home,  the  burly  fellow  said  "it  was  also  his  home." 

"What  may  your  name  be?  perhaps  I  may  know  you,"  said 
the  judge. 

"My  name  is  Hughes."  Then  Mr.  Hughes  made  his  parting 
address ;  "  Well,  C.,  you  go  to  your  home,  and  do  as  man  ought 
to  do  to  man." 

"I  will,  sir." 

"  Don't  tell  any  of  your  infernal  lies  when  you  get  to  Balti 
more." 

"  I  shall  tell  no  lies,  sir." 

The  truth  in  his  case,  he  doubtless  thought,  as  we  did,  would 
be  all-sufficient  to  rouse  the  feelings  of  American  citizens  against 
the  outrages  committed  here  at  slavery's  bidding.  A  gentleman 
from  Lawrence,  whom  Brewerton  had  pointed  out  as  having  shot 
at  a  Mr.  Cox,  in  the  melee  passed  directly  through  the  crowd 
from  the  office,  to  a  safer  place.  Another,  from  St.  Louis,  was 
introduced  to  the  same  Hughes,  by  a  bystander,  as  a  "  shipper 
of  Sharpe's  rifles."  The  law-and-order  man  dilated  his  eyes,  and 
asked  the  gentleman  if  that  was  his  business.  He  replied,  "  he 
was  a  commission  merchant,  and  whatever  boxes  came,  shipped 
to  his  care,  he  sent  forward."  "  Did  he  not  know  he  had  no  right 


EXCITEMENT  IN  MISSOURI,    ETC.  283 

to  send  rifles  to  Kansas ? "  "I  have  lived  several  years  in  St. 
Louis,  and  have  never  broken  any  law  of  the  state."  To  such 
indignities  and  questionings  have  gentlemen  been  obliged  to  sub 
mit  at  the  hands  of  men  who  have  been  convicts  for  years  in  the 
penitentiary.  It  was  amusing  to  see  the  indignation  of  the  last 
gentleman,  at  such  an  examination,  not  having  been  through  so 
thorough  a  process  of  breaking-in  as  Judge  C.  Every  day  only 
added  to  the  enormities  of  the  pro-slavery  party. 

A  Mr.  Cantrell,  recently  from  Missouri,  but  a  free-state  man, 
was  taken  prisoner  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  of  June,  by  one  of 
Gen.  Whitfield's  scouting  parties.  On  the  next  day  he  was  car 
ried  down  the  Sante  Fe  road.  At  Cedar  Creek  he  was  taken  out 
into  a  ravine  by  two  men.  Then  there  was  a  shot ;  —  then  the 
C1T»  "  0»  God,  I  am  shot !  —  I  am  murdered  !  "  Then  another 
shot,  and  a  long,  piercing  scream  ;  —  another  shot,  and  all  was 
still ! 

A  Mr.  Bailey  narrowly  escaped  a  violent  death,  and  through 
many  sufferings  at  last  reached  his  friends.  He  had  started  from 
his  home  to  get  a  load  of  provisions  for  himself  and  his  neighbors. 
When  near  Bull  Creek,  Coleman,  who  had  twenty  men  encamped 
close  by,  came  and  ordered  him  to  stop  there  over  night.  Among 
these  twenty  men  were  Buckley  and  Hargous,  his  accomplices  in 
the  murder  of  Dow.  In  the  morning  his  horses  were  missing, 
their  halters  having  been  cut.  The  men  expressed  sympathy  for 
his  loss,  and  told  him  the  horses  could  be  found  in  the  camp  at 
Cedar  Creek,  and  they  proposed  to  go  with  him  to  find  them*. 
Before  reaching  Cedar  Creek  they  met  a  company  of  two  hundred 
men.  A  consultation  was  held  with  them,  and  Coleman  said, 
"  There  may  be  treachery  used." 

Soon  after  the  company  had  passed  on,  three  men  took  Mr. 
Bailey  into  the  prairie  about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  road, 
and  demanded  his  money  ;  without  hesitation,  or  one  word  of 
objection,  he  gave  them  forty-five  dollars,  all  he  had.  One  of  the 
men  then  raised  his  gun  as  though  he  would  fire.  Mr.  Bailey 
said,  "  If  you  mean  to  kill  me,  you  will  kill  a  better  man  than 
yourself;"  to  which  the  ruffian,  lowering  his  gun,  replied,  "I 
wish  you  to  take  off  those  pantaloons ;  perhaps  they  will  get 


284  KANSAS. 

bloody."  But  Mr.  Bailey  said,  "They  are  mine  as  long  as  I 
live." 

This  tool  of  the  administration,  armed  with  a  U.  S.  musket, 
again  raised  his  gun,  and  fired.  The  ball  struck  Mr.  Bailey  in 
the  side,  glancing  along  the  ribs,  and  lodged  in  the  back.  Mr. 
Bailey  fell,  and  was  struck  at  again  and  again  with  the  musket. 
Then  two  of  the  men  disappeared,  and  left  this  more  than  demon 
to  finish  the  work  of  killing  a  peaceable  man.  He  jumped  on  the 
body  of  the  prostrate  man,  stamping  on  his  face  and  head.  But 
as  Mr.  Bailey  caught  hold  of  the  musket,  and  was  able  to  hold  on 
upon  it,  the  murderer  ran  after  the  others,  calling  upon  them  to 
return.  They,  however,  were  too  far  away.  After  lying  in  the 
grass  three  hours,  Mr.  Bailey  attempted  to  find  his  way  home. 
In  doing  so,  he  passed  near  their  camp  the  next  morning  at  day 
break,  and  for  a  while  lay  hid  in  the  grass,  to  learri  their  move 
ments.  While  there,  he  heard  a  cry,  "  Are  you  going  to  hang 
me  ?  "  and  no  reply,  save  the  ringing  of  a  bell.  In  about  five 
minutes,  he  heard  a  shot,  then  a  whistle,  and  six  other  shots  at 
intervals  of  five  minutes.  He  lay  in  the  woods  all  that  day,  and 
at  night  crawled  along  about  two  miles  ;  was  hid  near  the  Waka- 
rusa  all  the  next  day  ;  saw  a  wagon  stopped  by  five  men  ;  heard 
angry  words,  and  a  shot  fired.  In  the  night,  worn  down  by  his 
sufferings  from  the  wound  and  bruises,  having  had  nothing  to  eat 
for  three  days,  and  nothing  to  drink  but  stagnant  water,  he  reached 
the  house  of  Dr.  Still,  at  Blue  Mound. 

A  young  man,  by  the  name  of  Hill,  was  going  to  Missouri,  also 
for  provisions,  and  as  night  came,  he  asked  two  men  on  the  road 
where  he  could  find  water  for  his  horses.  They  said  they  would 
show  him,  if  he  would  go  with  them.  When  he  had  gone  with 
them  to  the  ravine,  where  they  said  he  would  find  water,  they 
searched  him,  took  whatever  he  had  of  money,  and  threatened  to 
kill  him.  He  told  them  he  had  a  mother,  and  young  brothers  and 
sisters,  dependent  on  him  ;  that  day  after  day,  as  hhe  looked  out 
for  his  coming,  and  night  only  brought  a  renewal  of  the  sad  sus 
pense  as  to  his  fate,  in  sorrow  she  would  go  the  grave  ;  but  there 
was  no  pity  in  their  hearts,  no  mercy.  They  tied  the  young  man's 
arms  behind  him,  and,  bending  his  feet  backwards,  tied  them  also 


EXCITEMENT   IN   MISSOURI,    ETC.  285 

to  his  arms,  then  put  a  stick  an  inch  and  a  half  wide  in  his  mouth, 
prying  it  open,  and  tied  the  string  back  of  his  head.  Then,  more 
barbarous  than  the  New  Zealanders,  they  cut  places  in  his  hat, 
and  tied  that  also  over  his  face,  and  laid  his  face  downwards  on 
the  stones.  They  went  away  leaving  him  to  die. 

After  a  time  they  came  back ;  and,  as  one  placed  his  pistol 
directly  over  his  eye,  he  feeling  its  pressure  through  the  hat,  the 
other  said,  "  Don't  shoot  him  ;.  he  will  not  go  any  further  on  his 
journey  to-night."  They  left  again  to  report  at  the  camp,  proba 
bly,  another  victim  to  the  vile  tools  of  slavery  propagandism. 

When  this  young  man  found  himself  again  alone,  and  thought 
they  would  not  return,  he  commenced  making  an  effort  to  extri 
cate  himself  from  his  painful  position.  By  working  his  boot  upon 
the  sharp  stones,  he  found  the  rope  loose  enough  for  him  to  draw 
his  foot  out.  His  feet  were  thus  left  at  liberty,  while  one  boot 
was  swinging  on  his  back.  By  working  his  hat  between  his  knees, 
he  was  able  to  pull  it  off  his  face.  Then  with  the  strip  of  board 
still  lacerating  his  mouth,  and  hands  fastened  with  strong  cords 
behind  him,  he  set  out  to  find  some  house  in  the  darkness  of  the 
night. 

He  had  come  from  Iowa  in  the  spring,  and  was  but  little  ac 
quainted  with  the  country.  After  travelling  eleven  miles,  he  knew, 
by  the  barking  of  the  dogs,  he  was  near  a  house,  but  was  unable 
to  get  over  the  fence.  The  strange  cries  he  made  at  last  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  family,  but,  supposing  him  to  be  a  drunken 
Indian,  they  did  not  at  first  come  to  his  aid.  He  was,  however, 
cared  for  by  them.  Elliot,  who  with  Titus  pledged  five  hundred 
dollars  for  the  head  of  Capt.  Walker,  when  the  U.  S.  Marshal, 
with  his  usual  servility,  offered  to  send  a  posse  for  him,  was  one 
of  the  actors  in  this  savage  transaction.  Other  men  were  con 
tinually  shot  and  robbed. 

A  man,  who  had  a  pass  from  U.  S.  Marshal  Donaldson,  with  a 
load  of  freight,  was  returning  to  his  home  in  the  territory.  The 
same  evening  of  the  day  he  left,  he  returned,  robbed  of  his  money, 
wagon  and  oxen,  and  saved  his  life  only  by  a  promise  to  leave  the 
territory.  The  men  who  attacked  him  were  encamped  about  two 


286  KANSAS. 

miles  from  Westport,  armed,  as  all  their  men  are,  with  U.  S.  rifles 
and  side  arms. 

The  questions  asked  of  him  were,  "  Where  do  you  live?  Where 
are  you  from  ?  What  are  your  politics  ?  How  much  money  did 
that  d — d  Emigrant  Aid  Society  give  you  to  come  out  here? 
What  the  h — 1  did  you  come  out  here  for  ?  Did  you  come  to 
make  Kansas  a  free  state  ?  Why  did  n't  you  go  to  Nebraska  ? 
That 's  a  good  country,  and  you  d — d  Yankees  may  have  it ;  but 
Kansas  you  '11  have  to  fight  for,  and  we  '11  whip  h — 1  out  of  you, 
but  we  '11  get  it,  Union  or  no  Union  !  That 's  a  game  that  must 
win,  I  am  thinking."  The  question  was  finally  asked,  "  If  we 
will  let  you  go,  will  you  take  a  gun  and  march  with  the  pro- 
slavery  party  ?  " 

"  Never  !  "  was  the  invariable  reply.  In  an  instant,  the  cry 
resounded  through  the  camp,  "  The  ropes,  boys,  the  ropes  !  " 

It  was  thrown  over  his  head,  and  he  was  dragged  to  the  nearest 
tree,  exclaiming,  "  You  do  not  intend  to  kill  me  in  this  manner, 
do  you  ?  " 

The  reply  was,  "  Yes,  G — d  d — n  your  abolition  heart,  and  all 
like  you  !  " 

He  asked,  if  he  was  thus  to  be  sacrificed,  for  time  to  collect  his 
thoughts,  and  arrange  his  worldly  affairs.  The  fiends  told  him  he 
could  have  ten  minutes  to  make  any  disposal  of  his  property,  and 
his  peace  with  God.  He  then  gave  a  list  of  his  effects  to  one  of 
the  captains,  asking  him  to  send  it  east  to  his  friends ;  and,  at  the 
expiration  of  the  ten  minutes,  the  rope  was  thrown  over  a  limb, 
and  they  jerked  him  from  the  ground.  After  being  let  down,  he 
was  asked,  "  Will  you  leave  the  territory,  if  we  '11  spare  your 
life  ?  " 

The  prisoner  objected,  stating  he  had  broken  no  law,  and  in 
fringed  upon  no  man's  rights.  The  leader,  who  had  ordered  him 
let  down  when  hanging,  again  interposed,  saying  he  must  make 
this  promise,  or  lose  his  life.  He  told  the  men  that  this  gentle 
man  had  a  "  right  to  be  a  free-state  man,  though  no  right  to  hold 
such  views  in  Kansas  ;  that  he  was  guilty  of  no  crime."  With  a 
guard  he  was  sent  back  to  Kansas  city. 

Others,  going  out  with  loaded  teams,  soon  returned,  having 


EXCITEMENT   IN   MISSOURI,    ETC.  287 

gone  through  the  same  operation  of  questioning  and  hanging. 
In  one  instance,  as  one  was  released,  and  left  the  camp,  he  heard 
the  screams  of  another  man  in  the  camp  across  the  road.  Mr. 
Upton,  the  sergeant-at-arms  of  the  investigating  committee,  was 
also  threatened  with  hanging,  but  he  was  very  firm  in  his  ex 
pressed  opinions  that  they  would  n't  do  it.  When  at  last  he  told 
them  who  he  was,  they  looked  frightened,  and  were  glad  to  be  rid 
of  him. 

A  young  man  and  his  wife,  formerly  from  Iowa,  came  to  Kansas 
city.  They  were  fearful,  and  dared  not  stay  longer  in  the  terri 
tory.  ]NTine  yoke  of  cattle,  which  he  was  going  to  take  into  Iowa 
to  sell,  were  taken  from  him  by  a  ruffianly  band  just  as  he  ap 
proached  Kansas  city.  Some  gentlemen  stopping  at  Kansas,  who 
had  lost  teams  on  their  way  down,  were  anxious  to  get  back  into 
the  territory.  They  started  one  day,  but  returned  ere  its  close. 
They  thought,  by  going  on  foot,  and  keeping  off  of  the  travelled 
roads,  they  should  be  able  to  get  through  without  molestation ; 
but,  when  about  twelve  miles  out,  they  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands. 
They  were  released  after  a  time,  and  advised  to  return  to  Kansas 
city,  "  as  they  would  meet  other  bands,  where  they  might  fare 
worse." 

A  clergyman,  from  Vermont,  whom  I  met  on  my  tour  East,  and 
who  spoke  to  me  then  of  visiting  the  territory,  to  look  after  an 
insane  brother,  reached  Kansas  city  on  his  return,  having  been  in 
perils  many  and  oft.  At  Westport,  he  stated  himself  a  clergyman, 
his  object  in  visiting  the  territory,  and  tried  to  hire  a  horse  of 
Mr.  Harris,  of  the  Harris  House.  There  seemed  to  be  objections, 
but  the  matter  was  at  last  arranged.  A  man  proposed  to  go  with 
him,  who  also  had  a  sick  brother.  Coleman  stood  near  them  as 
the  arrangements  were  made.  As  Rev.  Mr.  Webster  and  the 
other  man  were  travelling  along,  he  noticed  another  man  keeping 
always  the  same  distance  in  the  rear.  A  few  miles  out  of  West- 
port,  the  man  proposed  watering  the  horses ;  and,  as  Mr.  W.  dis 
mounted,  he  was  informed  by  the  other  man,  "  that  he  was  taken 
out  here  for  the  purpose  of  an  examination,  to  see  whether  the 
stories  he  told  were  true."  The  papers  he  found  on  the  minister 
corroborated  his  statements,  and  satisfied  the  man.  The  one  fol- 


288  KANSAS. 

lowing  had  also  arrived  there,  and  entered  into  the  examination. 
Mr.  W.  was  then  informed  that  if  he  went  on  to  Prairie  city,  he 
must  do  go  on  foot,  as  he  had  orders  to  take  the  horse  back  to 
Westport.  Mr.  W.  was  unable  to  walk  so  far,  and  concluded  to 
go  back  and  make  another  trial.  On  retracing  his  steps,  he  was 
taken  into  a  camp  of  the  highwaymen,  and  marched  about  at  the 
option  of  the  vile  men.  He  was  surprised  to  find  there,  also  in 
bonds,  two  Virginians  who  had  made  the  passage  of  the  Missouri 
at  the  same  time  with  himself.  They  had  promised  to  travel  with 
him,  to  be  a  mutual  protection,  but  by  some  means  they  had  lost 
sight  of  each  other.  And  they,  not  willing  to  go  all  lengths  of 
robbing  and  shooting,  in  their  defence  of  slavery,  had  fallen  under 
the  surveillance  of  these  brutes  in  form  of  men. 

Reports  of  five  men  hanging  on  the  trees  between  Westport  and 
Palmyra  came  in  at  Kansas  city.  One  of  the  pro-slavery  pro 
prietors  of  the  house  had  his  information  so  direct  that  he  said 
"he  had  no  doubt  it  was  true." 

Some  free-state  families  were  leaving,  but  they  were  mostly 
those  who  had  but  recently  come  into  the  territory,  and  had  not 
established  themselves,  and  become  a  part  of  the  great  question 
of  slavery  and  freedom.  Timid  men  turned  back  when  their  feet 
had  hardly  pressed  the  rich  soil  of  Kansas  ;  but  the  old  settlers, 
undaunted  by  past  disasters  and  present  confusion,  stood  firmly 
upon  their  rights.  Having  put  their  "  hands  to  the  plough,  they 
would  not  look  back."  In  some  regions,  where  husbands  and 
brothers  were  in  arms  to  protect  some  other  settlement,  or  to 
drive  out  marauders,  delicately  reared  and  intelligent  New  Eng 
land  women  were  busy  in  the  fields.  Their  horses  and  oxen  stoler, 
they  were  at  work  earnestly  to  get  in  the  crops.  T\vo  beautifu 
and  accomplished  girls,  thus  at  work,  said  to  a  friend  of  mine, 
"  Those  who  would  think  less  of  us  for  working  in  the  field,  may 
say  what  they  please ;  we  do  not  value  their  opinions." 

Forbearance  has  been  the  motto  of  our  people.  No  means  have 
been  left  untried  to  arouse  them  against  national  authority,  but, 
with  the  trusting,  peace-loving  spirit,  which  has  no  parallel  in  his 
tory,  they  have  cherished  a  faith,  in  the  final  righting  of  their 
wrongs,  which  indeed  "  hopeth  all  things  and  endureth  all  things." 


EXCITEMENT  IN   MISSOURI,  .ETC.  289 

None  but  the  intelligent,  strong-hearted  class  of  people,  who  have 
passed  into  Kansas,  could  have  reached  such  an  acme  of  endur 
ance.  Now  another  desperate  effort  is  put  forth  to  possess  the 
land.  Attempts  are  made  unceasingly  to  drive  off  the  timid,  to 
harass  the  settlers  generally,  by  placing  the  love  of  life  in  the 
scales  with  a  love  of  freedom  ;  by  keeping  in  prison  the  leading 
men,  and  by  preventing  the  incoming  of  new  free-state  settlers  by 
every  possible  means. 
25 


CHAPTER    XX. 

TWO    WEEKS   IN   JUNE   ON    THE    MISSOURI   BORDER. 

EVERY  succeeding  day's  fresh  enormities  clearly  show  the  base 
intention  of  the  pro-slavery  men.  Major  Richardson,  Buford, 
Donaldson,  and  others,  who  are  foremost  in  this  cruel  war  upon 
the  free-state  men,  often  dined  at  the  hotel  in  Kansas  city.  The 
threats  of  Buford's  men  against  him  were  neither  few  nor  mild. 
Many  of  them,  without  hesitation,  said  "  they  would  shoot  him 
the  first  chance  they  could  get,"  and  he  at  last  went  down  the 
river.  His  men  came  in,  every  day,  worn  out  and  sick.  A  free- 
state  man,  pitying  the  utter  wretchedness  of  one  of  them,  took 
care  of  him  a  few  days,  and  sent  him  down  the  river.  I  saw  him 
frequently  carrying  some  little  nourishment  from  the  hotel  to  the 
store  where  the  sick  man  was.  A  gentleman  in  from  Chicago 
reported  help  near.  He  brought  letters  from  well-known  friends 
of  Kansas.  The  rumor  spread  abroad.  Its  soothing  effect  upon 
the  overwrought  passions  of  the  border  men  could  not  escape 
notice.  Their  anxiety  in  the  matter  was  intense.  One  of  them, 
a  native  of  Burlington,  Vt.,  of  fine  family,  but  who  has  been 
connected  with  a  rabid  pro-slavery  paper  here,  though  now  appa 
rently  leaning  to  the  other  side  of  the  question,  had  his  seat  next 
me  at  the  table.  This  gentleman  said  to  me,  "It  is  said  two 
thousand  men  are  coming  from  Chicago  ;  but  I  think  the  trouble 
is  confined  here ;  it  reaches  but  a  little  distance."  The  reply 
made  was,  "You  cannot  have  been  East  lately,  for  there  is  in 
tense  feeling  throughout  the  North,  and  they  will  not  be  backward 
in  sending  many  times  that  number,  if  emergencies  require  it/' 
A  report  of  five  hundred  men  coming  from  Wisconsin  also  had 
a  wonderfully  subduing  effect  upon  the  Leavenworth  law-and- 
order  men,  and  soon  after  Col.  Sumner  disbanded  their  Vigilance 


TWO    WEEKS   IN   JUNE   ON   THE   MISSOURI   BORDER.     291 

Committee.  For  many  days  the  ferry-boat  had  been  plying 
busily  backwards  and  forth  across  the  river,  bringing  over  the 
Clay  County  boys.  As  they  landed  but  a  few  rods  below  the 
house,  and  I  saw  their  besotted,  rough,  unintelligent  faces,  I 
wondered  less  at  the  barbarities  we  heard  daily.  The  intellectual 
was  blotted  out,  the  animal,  the  sensual  part  of  human  nature 
alone  remaining,  rendering  them  fit  instruments,  in  the  hands  of  a 
corrupt  administration,  in  aiding  and  abetting  the  interests  of  the 
slave  power.  They  came  back  in  two  days,  and  went  on  the  boat 
quietly,  no  yells  resounding  through  the  grand  old  woods  on  the 
further  shore,  as  when  they  came  over.  Col.  Sumner  had  at  last 
driven  them  out.  There  were  Wyandots  returning  drunk,  who 
yelled  in  front  of  the  hotel,  and  brandished  their  pistols,  daring 
one  another  to  fight.  One  of  my  husband's  guard  at  Westport 
was  at  the  hotel,  and  desired  to  see  me.  He  seemed  to  be  a  man 
of  kind  heart,  and  evidently  thought  he  was  conferring  a  favor 
by  telling  me  how  much  "  the  guard  thought  of  Gov.  Robinson  ; 
that  he  was  a  gentleman,  and  they  treated  him  as  such ;  that 
Capt.  Martin  was  very  much  attached  to  him,  and  declared  no 
injury  should  come  to  the  governor  in  which  he  did  not  share." 
As  we  were  talking  familiarly,  I  asked  him  "  how  it  happened 
that  Gov.  Shannon  was  so  long  in  sending  for  my  husband." 
He  said,  "  I  suppose  they  had  to  wait  for  papers  to  be  made  out." 
"  Then  they  found  there  was  no  indictment  when  we  left  Law 
rence  ?  "  And  he  was  forced  to  say  there  was  none  at  that  time. 
He  was  very  anxious  to  get  to  Lecompton,  but  pretended  to  think 
the  people  of  Lawrence  would  attack  him  if  he  attempted  to  pass 
there,  and,  if  I  would  go  with  him,  he  would  protect  me  by  their 
camps,  while  my  presence  would  be  a  safeguard  for  him  at  Law 
rence.  The  mutual  advantages  of  the  arrangement  did  not  strike 
me  so  forcibly  as  him,  and  I  preferred  to  stay  longer  here  to 
getting  into  a  worse  place.  Gov.  Shannon  came  to  Kansas  city 
on  the  9th.  It  was  known  that  he  met  a  large  party  of  Georgians 
at  Westport,  just  arrived  ;  and  the  streets  were  full  of  the  noisy, 
drunken  crowd.  He  stated  his  intention  to  go  down  the  river. 
Poor  man  !  he  feared  for  his  own  safety.  He  was  despised  by 
both  parties,  and  a  curse  to  himself.  As  a  man  who  had  lost  his 


292  KANSAS. 

cattle  was  speaking  to  the  governor,  trying  to  get  some  redress, 
it  was  amusing  to  watch  the  expression  of  his  face.  There  was 
a  look  of  utter  weariness,  of  inability  to  do  anything,  of  inca 
pacity  to  know  what  to  do.  Instead  of  going  down  the  river,  he 
took  the  first  boat  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  and  the  next  day  sent  a 
sealed  despatch  to  the  President.  Gov.  Shannon  was  frightened, 
and,  as  he  repeated  some  things  about  the  invasion  to  Col.  Sumner, 
the  colonel  grew  angry,  and  talked  plainly  to  the  governor,  telling 
him  "  he  would  have  driven  out  the  ruffians  long  ago,  had  he 
had  the  power,  and  now  he  had,  he  would  drive  them  over  the 
state  line,  or  to  h — 11."  The  colonel,  with  Shannon  under  his  wing, 
started  off  with  another  company  of  dragoons,  three  brass  six- 
pound  field-pieces,  and  a  quantity  of  stores.  Col.  Sumner  was 
very  indignant  at  the  Osawattomie  affair. 

The  investigating  committee  had  also  arrived  on  the  9th,  hav 
ing  finished  their  laborious  work  in  the  territory,  and  their  last 
sittings  at  Leavenworth  and  Westport  being  in  the  midst  of  war, 
arrests  of  their  clerks,  their  witnesses,  and  in  general  confusion. 
Every  day  at  Westport  armed  bands  of  infuriated,  drunken  men, 
were  marshalled  in  the  streets.  Their  threats  were  open  and 
violent  against  the  committee.  Whitfield  had  left  his  position 
before  the  committee  to  carry  fire  and  sword  into  the  "territory. 
The  last  afternoon  there  was  an  effort  made  to  create  a  disturb 
ance,  but  the  firmness  of  the  majority  of  the  committee  effectu 
ally  quelled  it. 

The  people  of  Westport  soon  began  to  grow  weary  of  the  trou 
blesome  men  whom  they  had  invited  into  their  midst.  Not  content 
with  robbing  free-state  people,  the  Westport  people  said,  "  No 
man  was  sure,  when  he  fastened  his  horse  and  went  into  a  store, 
that  he  would  find  it  on  his  return."  Such  an  experience 
was  a  little  troublesome,  so  they  called  a  meeting  to  express  their 
disapprobation  of  this  invasion  into  the  territory,  to  state  that  they 
had  no  sympathy  with  it.  But  the  insincerity  of  the  movement 
was  expressed  by  the  total  failure  of  the  meeting,  only  six  per 
sons  remaining  until  its  close.  They  probably  forgot  that  at  the 
same  time  a  call  was  in  all  the  papers,  signed  by  one  of  the  most 
influential  citizens  of  Westport,  for  "  provisions  and  horses  to 


TWO  WEEKS  IN   JUNE   ON  THE   MISSOURI   BORDER.     293 

carry  on  the  war."  A  few  days  after,  another  meeting  was  called, 
and  a  resolution  was  passed  to  the  effect  that  they  had  taken  no 
part  in  this  invasion  upon  the  territory,  in  the  outrages,  such  as 
murder,  hanging,  etc.  A  man,  who  shot  Mr.  Cantrell,  voted  for 
this  resolution.  Another  man,  more  honest  at  least,  arose  and 
said  he  was  of  a  party  which  had  gone  through  a  mock  hanging ; 
but  the  resolution  passed. 

Business  was  dead  at  Kansas  city.  For  the  few  last  days  I 
was  there  nothing  was  stirring  where  before,  for  the  press  of 
teams,  a  person  could  pass  with  the  greatest  difficulty ;  scarcely 
any  one  could  be  seen.  The  warehouse  men  had  received 
word  from  Lawrence  that  all  freights  in  their  houses,  consigned 
to  merchants  there,  must  be  shipped  to  Leavenworth.  This 
made  them  anxious,  for  through  their  pockets  their  feelings  had 
been  reached.  The  business  men  invited  conversation  with  some 
eastern  men.  They  said  they  would  call  meetings  expressive  also 
of  their  disapprobation ;  but  they  were  assured  the  move  was  too 
late  ;  that  it  would  not  be  regarded  as  sincere ;  that  eastern  capi 
tal  was  timid,  cautious ;  that  it  would  not  be  convinced ;  that 
money,  which  would  have  come  in  here,  would  go  where  life  and 
property  are  safe  ;  that  eastern  travel  would  leave  the  Missou 
ri  river  for  a  northern  route. 

One  man,  who  brought  the  governor's  proclamation  down  to 
Westport  and  Kansas  city,  was  on  the  way,  through  the  border 
town,  to  raise  more  men  for  the  war.  Wm.  Donaldson,  several 
days  after,  was  at  Independence,  endeavoring  to  induce  men  to 
go  up  and  attack  Topeka.  The  following  letter  from  Indepen 
dence  states  the  fact : 

"INDEPENDENCE,  Mo.,  Thursday,  June  12,  1856. 
"  POSTMASTER,  LAWRENCE,  K.  T. :  There  were  some  men  here 
yesterday  trying  to  get  men  to  go  with  them  to  the  territory,  for 
the  purpose  of  going  to  Topeka  to  burn  it  up.     Now,  for  God's 
sake,  send  an  express  immediately  to  that  place,  and  get  the  peo 
ple  there  to  send  for  the  United  States  troops  to  protect  them. 
One  of  the  men  that  were  here  was  named  William  Donaldson 
(brother  of  Postscript  D.),  and  he  said  that  Shannon  had  left  the 
territory  and  gone  home,  leaving  Secretary  Woodson  as  acting 
25* 


294  KANSAS. 

governor,  and  that  he  would  let  the  pro-slavery  party  do  as  they 
pleased,  and  that  now  was  the  time  to  burn  out,  kill  and  drive 
every  free-state  man  from  the  territory. 

"  I  am  a  pro-slavery  man  myself,  but  I  want  things  done  honor 
ably,  and  give  you  the  warning  now.  Do  not  delay,  for  they  will 
be  in  Topeka  in  a  very  few  days.  Respectfully, 

"  JAMES  BROWN. 

"  P.  S.  —  This  is  not  my  proper  name,  but  what  is  said  is  true." 

Several  women,  whose  lives  had  been  passed  amid  the  influ 
ences  of  slavery,  were  a  novel  study.  One  who  boarded  in  the 
hotel,  a  lady  in  manner,  seemed  anxious  to  know  all  that  was 
transpiring  in  and  around  the  house,  and  to  gain  such  knowledge 
did  not  hesitate  to  listen  at  the  doors  of  other  people's  rooms. 
One  evening,  three  several  times  was  she  found  standing  in  the 
dark  passage-way  near  a  room,  where  several  of  the  free-state 
people  were  chatting  socially. 

Another,  a  young  girlish  thing,  full  of  quick  wit  and  ready 
repartee,  though  as  uncultivated  as  the  unhewn  rock,  occasioned  us 
many  a  laugh.  She  was  a  native  of  this  far  west,  and  it  seemed 
to  be  as  natural  for  her  to  swear  as  to  breathe.  Almost  every 
sentence,  besides  the  oath,  either  began  or  finished  with  the  asser 
tion  "  I  am  a  real  border  ruffian."  She  talked  a  good  deal  of  a 
proposed  visit  to  her  husband's  parents'  in  Vermont,  and  won 
dered  "  what  they  would  say  when  they  saw  a  live  border  ruffian." 

There  was  another  person,  whose  languid  airs  and  affected 
manner  of  speech  would  entitle  her,  in  the  great  world  of  fashion, 
to  the  name  of  lady.  The  subject  of  temperance  lectures  being 
one  day  incidentally  introduced,  she  said,  "  It  was  not  because 
her  husband  was  a  seller  of  liquors  that  she  never  attended  such 
lectures,  but  where  she  had  lived  it  had  not  been  considered 
respectable  for  ladies  to  attend  them."  She  concluded  by  saying 
"that  in  these  days  of  isms  she  supposed  some  would  attend 
them." 

There  was  another  woman,  native-born,  who  came  to  the 
house,  occasionally,  at  the  time  it  was  passing  into  new  hands. 
She  owned  one  of  the  colored  "  boys,"  who  was  hired  in  the 
hotel.  She  came  to  make  some  arrangement  with  the  new  pro- 


TWO    WEEKS   ON   THE   MISSOURI   BORDER.  295 

prietor.  She  was  a  maiden  lady,  considerably  on  the  down-hill 
side  of  life,  large,  portly,  with  most  expressionless  face,  but  she 
had  "  raised  "  the  "  boy,"  and  she  "  wanted  him  treated  kindly." 
She  said,  "  she  had  thought  she  would  let  him  have  what  wages 
he  made  through  the  summer."  When  the  proprietor,  quite  harsh 
ly,  said,  "it  did  not  do  to  treat  negroes  well,"  she  said  "she 
had  never  struck  the  boy  a  blow  in  her  life,  and  she  would  have 
him  well  treated ;  he  could  stay  a  month,  and  if  he  did  not  like 
he  could  leave."  « 

In  a  conversation  with  a  little  daughter  of  the  former  proprie 
tor,  she  said,  "  Where  are  you  from  ?  " 

"  Massachusetts." 

"  What  county  is  that  in?" 

"  Massachusetts  is  a  state,"  timidly  replied  the  sensitive  girl, 
not  liking  to  show  any  superiority  of  knowledge. 

"  Yes,  I  know  that;  but  what  county  is  it  in?  " 

There  seemed  to  be  a  confusion  of  ideas.  She  knew  she  lived  in 
Jackson  County,  and  to  her,  probably,  that  comprised  all  Missouri. 
As  far  as  native  intelligence  went,  the  colored  boy  was  her  supe 
rior,  and  she  evidently  regarded  him  with  the  same  affection  she 
would  a  white  boy  whom  she  had  reared. 

A  most  forcible  display  of  the  evil  passions  aroused  and 
strengthened  by  the  system  of  slavery,  and  the  effect  which  abso 
lute  power  over  one's  fellow-creature  has  upon  the  character,  was 
made  one  day  at  dinner.  A  stranger  unfortunately  had  taken  the 
seat  which  this  boarder  usually  occupied.  He  came  late  to  his 
meal,  and  saw  the  seat  was  occupied,  and,  as  he  stood  in  the  door 
way,  looking  up  and  down  the  table,  turning  his  head  this  way 
and  that  in  most  furious  manner,  there  was  in  his  face  scarcely 
one  expression  of  the  "  human  face  divine."  He  was  an  intem 
perate  man,  and  now,  when  his  passions  were  aroused,  his  appear 
ance  suggested  wild  animals,  a  whole  menagerie.  Seeing  his 
strange  actions  and  looks,  we  supposed  he  was  looking  for  some 
one  at  the  table,  against  whom  such  wrath  had  concentrated,  but 
he  finally  turned  and  told  the  proprietor,  "  he  should  leave  the 
house  before  the  sun-setting,  and  he  would  have  it  torn  down ; 
not  another  night  should  it  stand."  Thus  he  raved  all  that  after- 


KANSAS. 

noon,  in  the  house  and  out  of  the  house,  endeavoring  to  gather 
a  crowd ;  but  toward  evening  another  dram  gave  him  a  quietus 
for  the  night  and  the  next  day,  and  the  matter  ended. 

It  was  at  last  decided  by  Col.  Surnner,  that,  for  the  present,  he 
would  keep  the  prisoners  at  Lecompton,  as  so  many  of  his  forces 
must  be  drawn  away  from  the  fort.  It  was  impossible  to  get  to 
Lawrence  by  way  of  Westport,  and  all  travellers  thither  must  go 
up  the  river  to  Leavenworth,  and  across  the  Delaware  Reserve. 
The  boats  were  getting  scarce.  One  caflhe  up  heavily  loaded  with 
Mormons ;  every  place  on  the  upper  deck  was  crowded  with  large 
emigrant-wagons,  and  the  living  freight  packed  in  at  every  corner. 
Dirt  and  filth  were  visible,  and  the  looks  of  these  women,  "  sealed  " 
to  the  Mormon  faith  and  their  tyrannical  husbands,  was  one  of 
utter  misery.  About  the  same  time,  one  of  the  down  boats  car 
ried,  as  passengers,  two  of  the  Mormon  elders  on  their  way  to 
Washington,  on  business  relating  to  the  admission  of  Utah  as  a 
state.  Several  ladies  on  board  were  able  to  distinguish  them, 
among  the  crowd,  from  their  coarse,  brutal  looks. 

At  last  the  Keystone  came,  and,  on  the  evening  of  the  13th, 
in  company  with  a  gentleman  and  lady  from  Massachusetts,  whose 
intelligence  and  pleasing  ways  had  contributed  much  to  the  com 
fort  of  my  detention  in  Kansas  city,  I  left  for  Leavenworth,  and 
they  for  a  summer  stay  at  Council  Blufls. 

On  the  boat  we  overheard  a  conversation  between  a  Kentucky 
lady  and  a  lady  from  Missouri.  The  former  said, 

"  They  are  having  exciting  times  in  Kansas !  " 

"  Yes ;  a  great  many  have  gone  over  from  the  border  coun 
ties." 

"  Well,  Kansas  will  be  a  free  state  in  the  end.  The  Yankees 
have  determined  upon  it,  and  when  they  have  determined  upon  a 
thing,  they  have  so  much  more  energy  than  the  Southerners,  they 
will  accomplish  it." 

The  idea  did  not  seem  to  please  the  Missouri  lady,  but  she 
replied,  "  If  I  lived  in  Kansas,  I  would  want  it  a  free  state ;  but 
to  live  in  Missouri,  I  want  it  a  slave  state." 

"  We  had  slaves  in  Kentucky,  but  we  preferred  to  come  to 
Kansas,  because  we  know  property  is  more  valuable  in  a  free 


TWO    WEEKS   ON    THE   MISSOURI   BORDER.  297 

state,  and  its  institutions  are  more  desirable.      Many  people  in 
Kentucky  are  of  the  same  mind." 

The  rudder  of  the  boat  was  slightly  damaged  by  running  into 
the  bank  in  the  fog  of  the  morning,  and,  becoming  more  dense 
every  moment,  it  was  impossible  to  keep  the  boat  under  way. 
Hence,  when  we  reached  Leavenworth,  the  stage  had  gone  to  Law 
rence.  The  next  day  was  Sunday,  and  it  rained  heavily,  and  all 
the  morning  of  Monday,  but  an  acquaintance  was  over  from  Law 
rence,  and  "if  I  would  risk  getting  a  drenching,"  he  said,  "we 
would  start."  I  was  enough  of  a  water-fowl  not  to  mind  rain, 
and,  to  the  surprise  of  the  pleasant  Kentucky  family  with  whom 
I  stopped,  I  appeared  all  ready  for  a  drive  when  the  little  blue 
bit  of  sky  was  continually  varying  from  the  size  of  one's  hand  to 
that  of  a  yard  square,  and  the  sun  was  playing  "  hide-and-seek  " 
with  the  dark  clouds.  Save  the  driving  out  of  our  way  at  one 
time,  and  the  slippery  state  of  the  roads,  we  had  a  pleasant  ride 
through  the  beautiful  Delaware  country.  It  needs  only  some 
pleasant  houses,  grouped  among  the  clumps  of  trees,  to  give  it  the 
look  of  a  long-settled  country. 

Leavenworth,  situated  on  the  Missouri,  has%  the  finest  landing 
for  many  miles.  The  site  of  the  town  is  broken  with  small  hills, 
and  some  fine  swells  in  the  distance  invite  residences.  Tasteful 
hands  prepared  the  town-site,  and  left  many  trees  and  shrubs 
standing.  The  advantage  Leavenworth  has  over  the  other  settle 
ments,  in  procuring  pine  lumber  directly  from  St.  Louis,  shows 
itself  in  the  good-sized  dwellings  built  with  porticos  and  piaz 
zas,  and  yards  neatly  fenced.  There  are,  at  present,  no  large 
public  buildings.  Thirty  stores  stand  near  the  levee,  and  have 
done  a  large  business.  The  present  state  of  things  in  the  terri 
tory  has  produced  a  general  depression  in  trade,  and  none  feel  it 
more  than  people  at  Leavenworth.  The  majority  of  the  settlers 
are  free-state  people,  mostly  from  Pennsylvania,  Owing  to  its 
nearness  to  Missouri,  and  ease  of  access  to  the  border  men,  they 
have  come  over  in  crowds,  and,  uniting  with  the  few  "fire-eaters" 
in  and  around  Leavenworth,  have  controlled  everything,  making 
mob-law  the  rule.  Leavenworth  must,  unavoidably,  be  a  large 


298  KANSAS. 

commercial  point  in  the  West,  and  now  holds  the  first  rank  in  size 
in  the  territory. 

As  the  evening  was  fast  coming,  we  emerged  from  the  heavy 
timber  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Kansas,  and  waited  for  the  ferry 
boat  on  the  other  side  of  the  river. 

Desolation  sat  in  the  despoiled  city ;  the  one  broken  wall  of  the 
hotel  was  yet  standing;  there  was  no  home  on  Mt.  Oread;  plun 
der  and  fire  had  wrought  the  ruin  there,  and  the  destructiveness 
of  the  mob  had  only  been  satiated  by  the  girdling  of  every  tree 
transplanted  there. 

Still  there  was  a  home-feeling  in  getting  back  to  Lawrence, 
notwithstanding  my  husband  was  in  prison  and  myself  homeless. 
And  most  heartily  were  the  glad  assurances  of  welcome  and  inter 
est,  from  many  friends  clustered  around,  reciprocated. 

There  was  a  new  excitement  in  Lawrence.  A  man,  by  the  name 
of  Hopkins,  had  been  shot  the  evening  before.  He  was  found 
dead  in  the  house  of  a  new  comer,  named  Haney.  The  circum 
stances  seemed  to  prove  that,  in  attempting  to  rid  the  world  of  a 
monster  who  had  boasted  of  having  killed  three  men  and  four 
Indians,  he  was  himself  shot.  The  immediate  cause  of  the  fcelino1 

O 

against  Haney  was,  his  having  acted  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Douglas 
County  in  the  arrest  of  David  Evans,  familiarly  known  as  "  Buck 
skin."  This  Evans  was  the  man  who  effectually  cowed  the  pro- 
slavery  men,  and  especially  the  Hungarian  doctor,  in  the  case  of 
the  free  black  man,  the  summer  before.  Evans,  being  a  Missou- 
rian,  and  a  free-state  man,  was  exposed,  as  all  other  free-state 
men  coming  from  slave  states  are,  to  the  intense  bitterness  of  the 
border  ruffians.  The  dragoon  government  was  set  in  motion. 
Haney,  with  fourteen  dragoons,  stopped  and  inquired  for  "  Dave." 
He  being  the  one  accosted,  and  suspecting  some  foul  play,  told 
them  he  was  "  round  there."  As  they  went  to  look  for  him, 
"  Dave  "  was  fast  nearing  the  ravine;  but  they  espied  him,  and, 
with  a  loud  halloo,  hastened  after  him,  while  Haney  shouted, 

"  Shoot  him  !  shoot  him  !  shoot  the  d d  rascal !  "    The  officer 

in  command  cried,  "  Don't  shoot,"  but  at  the  cry,  "  shoot  him," 
Dave  had  stopped.  Haney  demanded  his  arms,  but  Evans,  dis 
daining  to  notice  him,  said  to  the  officer  of  the  dragoons,  stepping 


TWO   WEEKS   ON   THE   MISSOURI   BORDER.  299 

near  him,  "  I  can't  give  my  pistol  to  that  d d  rascal,  but  if 

you  want  it,  captain,  here  it  is."  Lecompton  was  the  destination 
of  the  prisoner,  and  he  rode  by  the  side  of  the  officer,  declaring, 
"  he  would  not  keep  company  with  the  d d  sneaking  scoun 
drel."  Haney  showed  no  writ,  and  the  threat,  "  I  '11  subdue 
you,"  was  carried  out  by  the  U.  S.  dragoons.  Evans  was  taken 
to  Lecompton,  and  put  in  chains,  like  a  felon. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

THE   U.    S.    CAMP  —  DISPERSION   OF   THE   LEGISLATURE. 

EARLY  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  with  a  brother  of  my  hus 
band,  and  a  friend,  I  left  for  Lecompton,  or  for  Uncle  Sam's  Bas- 
tile  on  the  Kansas  prairies,  which  had  been  moved  a  mile  and  a 
half,  or  two  miles,  from  that  tribunal  of  justice.  It  was  only  a 
day  or  two  since  persons  had  been  allowed  to  go  in,  and  some 
doubt  existed  whether  I  could  have  the  privilege.  We  came  in 
sight  of  the  tents.  There  were  three  in  one  row,  with  poles  set 
along  in  front,  and  cloth  spread  over  them,  and  upon  the  tents, 
making  a  long  shady  place,  which  E.  told  me  was  called  the 
"  pavilion."  The  tents  being  a  few  feet  apart,  the  cloth  stretch 
ing  over  them,  made  a  fine  place  to  sit,  for  the  table  and  all  culi 
nary  arrangements.  Another  row  of  tents  was  pitched  in  front  of 
these,  with  only  a  driveway  between,  while  the  captain's  tent  was 
on  a  rise  of  ground  a  little  distant. 

The  carriage  was  driven  to  the  officers'  tent,  and  A.  went  to 
inquire  if  we  could  go  in.  He  looked  vexed  as  he  returned,  and 
said,  "  You  can  go  in."  I  said,  "  Can't  you  go  too  ?  "  "  Not  with 
out  going  to  Jones,  for  a  pass,  and  unless  C.  wants  to  see  me  very 
much,  I'll  not  go  to  him." 

I  ran  down,  and  met  my  husband  just  outside  the  tent ;  the  sen 
tinel  was  pacing  back  and  forth,  close  to  the  pavilion,  musket  in 
hand.  He  stopped  a  half  moment  at  the  sight  of  a  new  face,  then 
resumed  the  everlasting  tread.  I  went  back  to  tell  A.  that  C. 
wished  to  see  him,  and  he  started  for  Lecompton.  The  prisoners 
looked  well,  with  the  exception  of  Judge  S.,  who  was  suffering  with 
chills,  and  were  contented,  and  hopeful  that  their  imprisonment 
would  accomplish  more  good  than  their  liberty  could.  The  prison- 


U.  S.  CAMP  —  DISPERSION  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.       301 

ers  now  had  their  papers,  and  letters,  and  two  or  three  friends  had 
been  in.  Some  books  also  had  been  sent  up.  For  exercise,  they 
walked  in  front  of  the  tents,  brought  wood  from  the  timber  close  by, 
and  water  from  the  spring  a  little  distant.  They  notified  the 
guard  of  their  desire  to  take  these  short  trips,  by  saying,  "  I  want 
a  gun ;  "  and  a  man  with  a  musket  would  be  provided.  The  screech 
ing  of  the  trumpets,  calling  the  soldiers  to  their  various  duties, 
added  not  a  little  to  a  headache,  induced  by  weariness  and  anxiety. 
If  ever  I  realized  that  there  was  more  truth  than  poetry  in  the 
words  of  Mrs.  Swisshelm,  when  she  said,  "  I  never  see  a  man  in 
regimentals  but  I  think  somebody  has  lost  his  monkey,"  it  was 
when  I  saw  daily  the  want  of  power  to  act  out  one's  manliness, 
while  remaining  in  the  army.  One's  feelings  were  continually  out 
raged  by  arrests  made,  the  troops  acting  as  "  posse  comitatus."  To 
join  the  army  is  to  become  an  automaton,  in  action  at  least. 

On  the  19th,  Haney  again  appeared  in  the  streets  of  Lawrence, 
at  the  head  of  about  forty  dragoons.  Mr.  Legate  was  in  the 
street.  Haney  commanded  him  to  assist  in  arresting  a  Mr.  Col- 
burn  ;  he  refused  to  do  it. 

"  Haney  became  excited,  and  ordered  the  troops  to  arrest  Mr. 
Legato,  and  take  him  to  the  camp.  They  then  commanded  the 
prisoner  to  walk  before  them,  which  he  refused  doing  under  any 
circumstances  whatever.  One  of  the  dragoons  then  dismounted, 
and  Legate  took  his  seat  in  the  saddle,  and  a  company  of  horse 
conducted  him  to  the  camp. 

"  Haney  then  rode  up  and  down  Massachusetts-street  with  the 
troops,  looking  for  some  one  to  make  prisoner ;  at  the  same  time 
swearing  vengeance  against  the  people  of  Lawrence, 'and  declaring 
that  '  he  would  keep  the  troops  here  until  the  snow  fell,  if  necessary, 
to  arrest  the  free-state  men  or  abolitionists ; '  '  the  d — d  town 
must  be  subdued,'  "etc. 

"  At  this  time  he  saw  Major  Hoyt  walking  across  the  street. 
He  immediately  drove  up  to  where  Hoyt  was,  followed  by  the  dra 
goons,  and  said  : 

"  '  Mr.  Hoyt,  you  are  my  prisoner.' 

"  *  By  what  authority  do  you  arrest  me?  '  asked  Hoyt. 

"  '  By  the  authority  of  the  territorial  laws,'  replied  Haney. 
26 


302  KANSAS. 

"  Hoyt  then  demanded  to  see  the  writs  for  his  arrest.  The 
deputy  said  he  had  none.  Hoyt  then  refused  to  be  molested  by 
him,  and  proceeded  to  walk  across  the  street.  Haney  did  not 
know  what  to  do  at  this  crisis.  He  was  relieved  from  his  dilemma 
by  the  lieutenant  of  the  company,  riding  up  to  Hoyt,  and  com 
manding  him  to  halt,  and  saying, 

"  '  I  arrest  you ;  you  are  my  prisoner,  and  must  go  with  me.' 

"  The  dragoons  surrounded  their  victim,  and  he  was  forced  to  go 
to  the  camp.  The  soldiers  soon  returned,  and  went  to  a  grocery, 
where  they  were  all  treated  to  a  drink.  The  whiskey  was  passed 
arouncT  among  them  in  large  wooden  buckets,  and  they  were  allowed 
to  drink  as  they  could.  They  then  returned  to  camp  and  took  the 
prisoners  to  Lecompton. 

"  When  they  reached  there,  Gov.  Shannon  refused  to  recognize 
Haney  as  having  any  authority  to  arrest  prisoners,  and  informed 
the  worthy  that  he  had  no  right  to  bring  prisoners  there. 

"  Sheriff  Jones  was  on  hand,  and  prepared  papers  for  the  reiir- 
rest  of  the  prisoners  instanter. 

"  Gov.  Shannon,  seeing  that  Jones  had  the  advantage  of  possessing 
'  legal '  papers  for  the  arrest,  said  no  more,  and  the  prisoners  were 
then  taken  to  a  cabin.  Mr.  Legate  was  put  in  irons  by  order  of 
the  sheriff,  and  they  were  both  locked  up  for  the  night," 

The  same  night,  the  soldiers,  in  a  state  of  intoxication,  were 
prowling  about  Lawrence,  breaking  into  houses,  and  making  a 
noise  generally.  At  this  time  the  people  of  Lawrence  came  in 
carriage-loads  to  see  the  "  traitors."  Capt.  Walker,  the  officer  in 
command,  had  power,  for  a  few  days,  to  allow  any  persons  to  come 
in.  The  opportunity  was  improved.  They  came  bringing  books, 
strawberries,  gooseberries,  figs,  lemons,  prunes,  ice-creams,  and  early 
vegetables.  There  was  a  general  thoughtfulness  for  the  "prison 
ers,"  and  none  came  empty-handed.  Little  Marshal  Cramer,  whose 
inferior,  even  distressed  looking  face,  has  gained  him  the  soubriquet 
of  "  monkey-faced,"  called  one  day  with  Col.  Preston,  who  had 
been  one  of  my  husband's  guard  on  his  removal  from  Lexington. 
He  did  not  say  anything,  but  he  evidently  thought  the  prisoners 
were  bearing  the  changes  of  life  too  lightly.  He  gave  the  captain 
orders  not  to  let  any  one  in,  or  even  letters.  Then  there  was  a 


TJ.  S.  CAMP  —  DISPERSION  OF  THE   LEGISLATURE.      303 

day  or  two,  when  persons  coming  were  not  allowed  to  see  the 
prisoners,  but  Mrs.  J.  and  I  could  go  out  to  the  captain's  tent, 
and  see  them.  I  was  much  amused  one  day,  when  a  gentleman 
from  Lawrence  with  his  wife  came.  He  had  also  with  him  the 
wife  of  a  gentleman,  against  whom  the  pro-slavery  party  had  some 
bitterness,  and  she  was  introduced  to  the  captain  and  lieutenant 
by  her  maiden  name.  She  was  very  young  and  girlish  looking, 
juid  as  she  was  talking  pleasantly  with  the  lieutenant,  though  ear 
nestly,  upon  the  outrageous  course  of  President  Pierce,  he,  in  a 
laughing  way,  said,  "  You  are  a  little  fanatic,  but  you  '11  marry  some 
Southerner  one  of  these  days."  She  laughed,  and  went  on  talking. 
The  lieutenant  is  of  southern  birth,  but  is  far  from  intolerant,  and 
no  one  could  have  treated  the  prisoners  more  gentlemanly.  Capt. 
Walker  too  seemed  to  feel  hurt  at  this  "  shutting  down  "  upon  the 
prisoners,  and  told  me  "  he  would  do  anything  he  could  for  them, 
but  he  must  obey  orders."  Marshal  Donaldson  came  in  a  day  or 
two,  and  denied  having  sent  any  new  orders  to  Cramer,  and  again 
any  one  could  come  in. 

Evans  was  released  toward  the  last  of  June.  Efforts  had  been 
made  to  bail  him  out,  but  the  bogus  Probate  Judge,  Dr.  J.  N.  0. 
P.  Wood,  of  former  notoriety  at  Lawrence,  fixed  the  bail  at  five 
thou3and  dollars.  The  love  of  freedom  is  a  crime  in  Kansas.  The 
probable  reason  of  the  release  was  a  disinclination  on  the  part  of 
the  pro-slavery  men  to  bear  the  extra  expense  of  prisoners.  Not 
being  "  traitors,"  the  United  States  government  could  not  be  charged 
with  their  support. 

On  the  26th,  two  young  men  arrived  in  Lawrence,  from  New 
York,  by  means  of  a  pass  from  Atchison.  Sixty  men  coming  to 
settle  in  the  territory,  with  ploughs,  harrows,  and  all  farming 
implements,  were  turned  back,  after  being  disarmed,  first  at  Lex 
ington,  then  at  Leavenworth,  by  Atchison  and  Stringfellow. 

The  Missourians  not  only  have  become  plunderers  and  highway 
men,  but  pirates,  in  the  service  of  the  present  administration.  A 
few  days  after,  Dr.  Cutter's  party,  from  Massachusetts,  were  also 
robbed,  and  sent  back.  At  Liberty,  the  cannon  on  the  shore  was 
fired,  and  directions  were  given  to  the  gunner  "  not  to  fire  too 
high,  as  people  were  on  the  opposite  bank."  At  Weston,  Buford, 


304  KANSAS. 

and  twenty  others,  came  on  board,  and  kept  them  under  strict  sur 
veillance  until  the  boat  reached  St.  Louis. 

While  such  deeds  of  blood  and  violence  were  being  committed 
on  the  river,  the  Indian  agent,  Gay,  was  killed,  near  Westport,  by 
some  of  Buford's  men.  Upon  his  replying  in  the  affirmative  to 
the  question,  "  Are  you  in  favor  of  making  Kansas  a  free  state  ?  " 
he  was  immediately  shot. 

Bands  of  the  marauders  infested  the  woods  on  the  Westport 
route.  They  plundered  wagons  of  provisions,  for  subsistence,  and 
struck  down  the  unwary.  In  camp  we  were  awakened  one  morn 
ing  by  loud  words  near  by.  One  of  the  "  chivalry  "  was  talking 
to  Col.  Sumner  in  no  gentlemanly  way. 

When  the  news  of  the  nomination  of  Buchanan  and  Brecken- 
ridge  was  received  in  Lecompton,  a  meeting  was  called.  The  cel 
ebrated  "  Sheriff  Jones  "  was  the  president  of  the  meeting,  while 
kindred  spirits  filled  the  other  offices.  The  following  resolutions 
were  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  have  entire  confidence  in  James  Buchanan 
and  John  C.  Breckenridge,  as  sound  and  true  national  democrats, 
and  believe  them  to  be  the  best  men  who  could  have  been  selected 
as  the  exponents  of  the  principles  of  the  platform  adopted  by  the 
Cincinnati  convention,  and  noble  standard-bearers,  who  .will  rally 
to  themselves  and  their  platform  all  Union-loving  men  and  true 
democrats. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  do  most  heartily  approve  and  endorse  the 
leading  measures  of  the  administration  of  Franklin  Pierce,  and 
have  the  utmost  confidence  in  the  integrity  and  patriotism  of  S. 
A.  Douglas ;  and  while  some  of  us  may  have  preferred  the  nomi 
nation  of  one  or  two  other  of  these  able  statesmen,  yet  we  do 
heartily  endorse  the  nomination  of  James  Buchanan,  and  look 
upon  his  election  as  necessary  to  the  stability  and  safety  of  the 
Union." 

On  the  23d  the  prisoners  received  an  accession  to  their  num 
bers  in  the  persons  of  Capt.  John  Brown,  Jr.,  and  H.  H.  Wil 
liams,  likewise  dignified  with  the  name  of  "  traitors."  The  former 


U.  S.  CAMP  —  DISPERSION  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.       305 

was  still  insane  from  the  ill-treatment  received  while  in  charge  of 
the  troops.  These  gentlemen,  upon  hearing  of  the  intended  attack 
upon  Lawrence  in  May,  had,  in  company  with  one  hundred  others 
from  the  region  of  Osawattomie,  left  their  homes  for  her  defence. 
Having  heard,  when  a  few  miles  distant,  that  the  people  of  Law 
rence  would  make  no  resistance  to  the  force  brought  against  them, 
they  returned  to  their  homes.  Fifteen  of  them  were  at  first  taken 
prisoners  by  a  part  of  Whitfield's  gang  of  ruffians.  Seven  were 
rescued,  and  eight  taken  for  trial  to  Tecumseh,  after  being  kept  in 
irons  two  weeks,  under  the  guard  of  United  States  troops,  Capt. 
Wood,  of  company  C.,  commanding. 

Capt.  Brown  had  a  rope  tied'  around  his  arms  so  tightly,  and 
drawn  behind  him,  that  he  will  for  years  bear  the  marks  of  the 
ropes,  where  they  wore  into  his  flesh.  He  was  then  obliged  to 
hold  one  end  of  a  rope,  the  other  end  being  carried  by  one  of  the 
dragoons;  and  for  eight  miles,  in  a  burning  sun,  he  was  driven 
before  them,  compelled  to  go  fast  enough  to  keep  from  being  tram 
pled  on  by  the  horses.  On  being  taken  to  Tecumseh,  they  were 
chained  two  and  two,  with  a  common  trace-chain,  and  padlock  at 
each  end.  It  was  so  fixed  as  to  clasp  tightly  around  the  ankle. 
One  day  they  were  driven  thirty  miles,  with  no  food  from  early 
morning  until  night.  The  journey  in  a  hot  June  day  was  most 
torturing  to  them.  Their  chains  wore  upon  their  ankles  until  one 
of  them,  unable  to  go  further,  was  placed  upon  a  horse. 

The  testimony  at  Tecumseh  was  general  against  them,  all  alike ; 
but  five  were  released,  while  the  three,  who  are  members  of  the 
Topeka  Legislature,  were  retained. 

The  people  of  Lecompton,  hearing  of  the  new  arrival  of  the 
free-state  men  in  the  territory,  were  in  continued  fears  of  attacks. 
Their  days  were  filled  with  rumors  of  intended  attacks,  and  their 
nights  with  vigils.  For  several  days  before  the  3d  of  July,  Col. 
Titus,  and  other  choice  spirits,  had  called  upon  Capt.  Walker  more 
frequently  than  usual,  and  the  31st  of  June  was  spent  by  them  in 
consultation.  July  1st,  about  eleven  and  a  half  o'clock,  Mr.  P., 
of  the  N.  Y.  Tribune,  and  E.,  the  }roung  lady  who  had  been  part 
of  my  household,  came  from  Lawrence.  Our  plan  had  been  for  E.  to 
remain  with  me  a  few  days,  while  Mrs.  J.  could  go  down  to  look 
26* 


306  KANSAS. 

• 

after  her  family  at  home.  They  were  informed  by  the  captain 
that  they  "  could  not  come  into  the  tents."  Afterwards  an  unwill 
ing  consent  was  given  that  "  E.  could  conic  in,  and  Mrs.  J.  go  to 
Lawrence ;  but  Mrs.  J  could  not  come  back  until  after  the  sixth, 
and  not  then  if  there  was  any  trouble  at  Topeka." 

Mr.  P.  asked  "  what  authority  he  had  for  such  restrictions ;  " 
and  the  officer's  reply  was,  "  I  have  authority."  Mr.  Deitzlcr 
also  asked  him  "  if  he  had  orders  from  the  marshal;  "  and  his  reply, 
given  with  a  good  deal  of  hesitancy,  and  an  evident  effort  at  dig 
nity,  "  I  do  not  act  without  orders,"  was  certainly  equivocal. 

After  the  carriage  conveying  our  disappointed  visitors  back  to 
Lawrence  was  fairly  out  of  sight,  Capt.  W.  returned  to  our  tents, 
saying,  "  I  forgot  to  mention  that  I  shall  move  camp  in  about  an 
hour.  I  will  have  a  wagon  here  to  convey  you  there."  So,  with 
finishing  getting  dinner,  etc.,  the  hour  passed  away,  and  Col.  Titus' 
big  wagon,  greasy  from  having  transported  bacon,  was  obliged  to 
wait  a  half  hour,  while  I  washed,  and  Mr.  Deitzler  dried  the 
dishes,  Judge  Smith  arid  my  husband  packing  them  in  boxes  and 
baskets.  Mrs.  J.  was  busy  in  other  matters  preparatory  to  a 
moye,  while  the  rest  were  striking  the  tents,  and  taking  down  our 
pavilion.  At  last  we  were  packed  in  with  bags,  baskets,  and  any 
thing  we  preferred  carrying  in  our  own  care,  and  jolted  along  the 
mile  and  a  half  in  a  scorching  sun.  A  mule  team  was  in  advance. 
Some  of  the  blue  coats  rode  each  side  of  us,  and  the  main  body 
of  this  portion  of  the  President's  army  of  subjugation  brought  up 
the  rear.  Out  in  the  prairie,  less  than  a  mile  from  Lecompton,  we 
came  to  a  double  log  cabin,  and  as  we  alighted,  and  our  chairs 
were  taken  from  the  wagon,  the  captain,  pointing  to  the  right  hand 
cabin,  said,  "  You  can  go  in  there,  and  stay."  We  went  in.  There 
was  no  window,  and  no  air  in  the  cabin ;  but  a  woman,  dressed  in 
bright-red  calico,  with  blue  undersleeves,  black  mits,  and  shingle 
sun-bonnet,  sat  there  sewing  on  a  muslin  of  gay  colors,  in  stripes 
of  exceeding  width.  My  husband  said  something  to  her  ;  but  she 
seemed  anything  but  social,  and  we  took  our  chairs  and  walked  out 
again.  The  space  between  the  buildings  was  shady ;  so  \re  sat 
there  and  read  our  newspapers,  and  looked  at  the  men  as  they 
pitched  the  tents  in  the  rear  of  the  cabin. 


U.  S.  CAMP — DISPERSION  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.       307 

The  other  room  was  occupied  by  the  owner  of  the  place,  a  Penn- 
sylvanian  and  a  free-state  man ;  and  for  a  .week  only  had  this 
cabin  been  rented  to  a  pro-slavery  family.  Neither  of  these  fam 
ilies  had  been  consulted  in  this  arrangement  of  the  camp  ;  but  a 
brother  of  the  pro-slavery  man,  living  in  Lecompton,  had  expressed 
his  approval.  When  the  pro-slavery  man  came  home  at  night,  he 
made  loud  threats  of  "  driving  off  the  free-state  man,  and  holding 
his  claim." 

Towards  evening  a  padlock  was  tried  upon  the  door,  and  at 
dark  we  were  ordered  to  sleep  in  the  log  cabin,  the  family  being 
driven  from  their  home.  It  was  the  intention  of  Capt.  W.  to 
lock  the  door ;  but  Messrs.  J.  and  D.  talked  to  him  so  rousingly, 
telling  him,  "  if  they  were  to  be  hung,  he  had  better  begin  then, 
as  it  would  be  better  than  suffocation,"  that  he  failed  to  carry 
his  plans  into  execution.  So  seven  men  and  two  women  had  to 
stay  in  one  little  room  without  a  window.  The  mattresses  lay  so 
close  upon  the  floor  that  ours  was  slid  partly  under  the  bedstead, 
upon  which  Mrs.  J.  sat  up  to  fan  herself  until  near  morning,  when 
she  retreated  to  the  tents  for  a  short  nap.  Had  the  want  of  air, 
and  the  oppression  been  less,  sleep  would  have  been  prevented  by 
the  continual  noise  during  the  night.  Fifteen  "  law-and-order  " 
men,  from  Lecompton,  came  in  at  different  times  in  the  night  to 
offer  their  services  in  case  of  a  rescue ;  and  that  Capt.  W.  took 
them  to  his  tent  and  "  treated  "  them,  has  never  been  denied. 
All  night  "Halt!"  "Who  goes  there?"  "A  friend."  "Ser 
geant  of  the  guard  !  "  Advance  !  "  resounded. 

Jvly  3d.  —  Yesterday  and  to-day  the  heat  has  been  oppressive. 
Some  of  the  prisoners  suggest  that  it  is  greater  on  account  of 
our  proximity  to  Lecompton.  They  say  "  they  can  smell  the  brim 
stone  and  see  the  smoke."  A  part  of  our  things  were  not  brought 
from  the  other  camp,  as  promised,  and,  without  any  shade,  we 
have  to  cook  and  eat,  suffering  much  from  the  heat.  If  we  did 
not  laugh  and  make  merry,  the  wrinkles  in  our  faces  would  become 
indelibly  fixed.  While  we,  as  all  dwellers  in  Kansas,  feel  a  terri 
ble  hatred  to  tyranny,  which  those  living  in  quiet  homes  can  never 
appreciate,  we  are  still  quick  to  catch  the  stray  sunbeams  on  our 
pathway,  and  to  our  courage  add  cheerfulness.  Judge  S.,  with 


308  KANSAS. 

his  dry  sayings,  would  make  the  longest  and  most  sedate  counte 
nance  shorten  in  a  smile;  and  no  company  of  the  same  number 
could  have  been  found  \vith  a  more  pervading  love  of  fun,  and  a 
greater  fund  of  good-humor.  So,  however  "  dark  the  cloud,  we 
find  the  silver  lining." 

There  is  an  ever-present  indignation  at  the  course  of  the  admin 
istration  and  its  underlings ;  but  with  it  there  is  the  realization, 
strong  as  the  "  everlasting  hills,"  that  its  villany  will  work  its 
own  ruin. 

Woodson,  Fain,  and  other  "  law-and-order  "  men  from  Lecomp- 
ton,  were  in  camp  yesterday.  Several  of  these  men  have  sat  in 
their  wagon  watching  us  a  long  time  to-day.  They  tried  quite  per- 
severingly  to  learn  who  were  the  tenants  of  the  various  tents,  and 
"  which  was  which  "  of  the  prisoners.  One  of  them  came  into  our 
tents  without  asking  permission  of  the  captain,  and  was  ordered 
away  several  times  by  the  guard  before  leaving.  They  appeared 
to  feel  themselves  particularly  privileged  above  other  men,  and  it 
was  amusing  to  see  them  march  along  with  great  nonchalance  in 
spite  of  the  sentinel's  cry  of  "  Halt !  "  but  it  was  more  so  when  a 
sudden  period  was  put  to  their  locomotion,  as  the  guard  levelled 
his  gun  at  them,  and  they,  with  an  assumed  air  of  innocent  igno 
rance,  cried,  "  Halt !  halt !  is  it  us  you  are  hallooing  at  ?  " 

Capt.  Brown  has  been  ill  several  days ;  and,  for  a  day  or  two, 
delirious.  To  get  the  air,  he  lay  out  upon  the  ground  in  the 
shadow  of  the  tents.  Physicians  from  Lawrence  were  sent  for ; 
also  provisions. 

Towards  evening  great  preparations  for  defence  were  made. 
Large  government  wagon-bodies  were  taken  from  the  wheels,  and 
placed  against  the  open  space  between  the  cabins.  They  were 
filled  with  corn,  barrels,  and  sacks.  Capt.  W.  flitted  around,  as 
though  he  had  the  affairs  of  a  continent  resting  upon  his  shoulders, 
until  the  barricades  were  completed.  He  also  compelled  the  free- 
state  family  to  vacate  their  room.  He  knocked  the  chinking  out 
of  the  walls  and  took  possession. 

The  family  went  half  a  mile  to  their  nearest  neighbor's  to  sleep, 
and  every  night  and  morning  we  had  a  general  move  between  the 


U.  S.  CAMP  —  DISPERSION  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.      309 

house  and  tents.  When  the  "  tattoo  "  sounded,  it  was  our  signal 
for  retreat  to  the  poor  little  prison. 

Drs.  P.  and  T.  did  not  arrive  at  camp  until  after  nine  o'clock, 
and  Capt.  Brown  was  obliged  to  go  to  the  officers'  tent  to  see 
them.  Provisions  and  clothing,  brought  in  by  another  team,  were 
taken  there,  as  well  as  the  mail,  and  not  an  article  escaped  strict 
search. 

4tk.  —  There  were  three  men  in  from  Lecompton  last  night.  The 
captain  took  them  into  his  cabin  to  show  them  the  port-holes.  There 
was  also  a  ruse  last  night.  A  pistol-shot  was  fired ;  then  the  word 
came  that  the  picket-guard  had  been  fired  upon.  Capt.  W.  was 
in  motion ;  but  some  little  time  elapsed  before  he  sent  any  one 
down  to  the  guard.  The  matter  was  probably  understood  among 
the  men. 

There  has  been  no  battle  yet !  The  wagon-bodies  are  all  whole, 
and  the  corn-bags  yet  undisturbed  !  Capt.  W.'s  head  is  yet  safe, 
and  the  world  moves  on !  At  daybreak  there  were  three  more 
ruffians  at  the  captain's  tent.  About  eight  o'clock  Crowder,  one 
of  the  pretended  officials,  came  also  to  his  tent,  and  had  a  long 
conference.  The  horses  of  the  privates  are  continually  lent  to 
these  men,  of  which  they  complain  bitterly.  We  did  not  receive 
our  papers  from  the  officers'  tent  until  the  middle  of  the  forenoon. 
(A  letter  was  never  given  to  one  of  the  prisoners.) 

Was  there  ever  such  a  glorious  country  as  this,  with  petty 
tyrants  made  weak-headed  by  a  little  power?  Austrian  despot 
ism  is  liberty  in  comparison. 

We  heard  this  morning,  from  Lecompton,  that  the  cause  of  our 
removal  here  was  to  protect  that  town ;  an  agreement  of  mutual 
protection  having  been  entered  into  by  the  people  there  and  Capt. 
W.  We  are  also  acquainted  with  the  movements  of  our  friends, 
notwithstanding  the  watchful  vigilance  of  our  heroic  keeper. 

5^.  —  Last  night  brought  the  intelligence  of  the  dispersion  of 
the  Logislature  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  Col.  Sumner  arrived 
here  this  morning,  and  three  companies  of  troops  passed  by. 
Capt.  W.  came  down  to  our  tents  with  Col.  Sumner.  Col.  S. 
said  "  he  was  sorry  the  Legislature  did  not  disperse  at  the 


310  KANSAS. 

reading  of  the  proclamation ;  that  the  free-state  men  had  injured 
their  own  cause." 

My  husband  replied,  "  that  he  was  sorry  they  dispersed  until 
he  fired  upon  them,  and,  if  he  had  been  there,  he  would  have 
obliged  him  to  do  so." 

"  You  could  not  have  obliged  me  to  do  it,  for  I  should  not 
have  fired."  When  Col.  S.  was  asked  what  he  would  have  done, 
he  said,  "  I  might  have  tied  your  arms  behind  you." 

My  husband  told  him  the  constitution  gave  them  a  right  to 
meet  and  memorialize  Congress.  The  treatment  we  had  received 
the  last  week  was  also  plainly  stated  to  Col.  S.,  and  he  at  once 
ordered  our  letters  given  us,  and  our  friends  to  be  allowed  to 
come  in.  Judge  S.  was  very  ill  again,  and  in  his  delirium  the 
week's  course  of  discipline  seemed  to  be  on  his  mind. 

Another  page  has  been  written,  in  the  history  of  the  American 
people,  in  unparalleled  infamy.  Another  scene  in  this  dark  and 
tragic  drama  of  crushing  out  a  free  people  has  been  enacted. 
Instead  of  the  brilliant  panorama  and  festive  scenes  which  for 
years  past,  on  this  anniversary,  have  spoken  the  heart-gladness 
for  liberties  gained  through  years  of  struggle,  the  people  of  this 
mighty  nation  wear  sackcloth  and  mourning.  The  star-spangled 
banner  no  longer  waves  over  a  free  people,  but  is  draggled  through 
the  blood  of  those  slain,  at  the  bidding  of  a  merciless  adminis 
tration,  on  Kansas  plains.  Mr.  P.,  an  eye-witness,  eloquently 
tells  the  thrilling  story  : 

"  The  national  flag  floated  proudly  over  Topeka  on  the  Fourth 
of  July;  and  over  the  hall  of  legislation,  or  state  buildings,  was 
displayed  a  flag,  American  in  every  respect,  save  that  among  the 
stars  was  a  larger  additional  star  on  the  corner  —  the  orphan  star 
of  Kansas. 

"Around  the  large  new  hotel  the  convention  had  assembled,  and 
proceeded  to  transact  its  business.  Some  half  a  dozen  military 
companies,  in  handsome  uniform,  paraded  about.  Ladies  prome 
naded,  with  little  banners  flying  from  their  parasols.  The  scene 
was  highly  interesting. 

"  In  spite  of  the  apparent  indifference,  many  hearts  throbbed 


U.  S.  CAMP  —  DISPERSION  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.      311 

anxiously  for  the  denouement  of  the  day's  proceedings.  It  was 
well  known  that  nearly  all  the  military  force  in  Kansas  was  con 
centrated  within  a  few  hundred  yards  in  Topeka,  and  that  in  the 
camp  of  Col.  Sumner  was  Secretary  Woodson,  the  infamous 
Jeffreys  Lecompte,  Donaldson,  who  led  on  the  plundering  hordes 
to  the  sack  of  Lawrence,  Judges  Cato  and  Elmore,  and  other 
influential  pro-slavery  men;  and  it  was  also  known  that  those 
men,  who  have  shown  the  most  inveterate  hostility  to  the  settlers 
of  Kansas,  were  plotting  mischief  against  them.  All  this  was 
known,  and,  although  it  might  make  the  pulsation  of  some  hearts 
beat  quicker,  it  neither  disturbed  nor  affected  their  action. 

"  About  ten  o'clock,  United  States  Marshal  Donaldson,  accom 
panied  by  Judge  Elmore,  entered  the  town,  and  gave  it  to  be 
understood  that  he  had  a  proclamation  to  read.  The  convention 
paused  in  its  business,  and  invited  these  gentlemen  to  the  stand. 
Donaldson  being,  like  Moses,  not  particularly  well  qualified  for 
public  speaking,  called  on  his  Aaron,  in  the  shape  of  Judge 
Elmore,  who  read  the  proclamation  of  the  President,  dated  in 
February  —  a  law-and-order  document,  the  signification  of  which 
was  comprehended  at  the  time,  and  which  was  now  made  to  do 
its  work  in  the  drama,  '  We  will  subdue  you.'  Next  was  read 
the  second  proclamation  of  Gov.  Shannon,  issued  a  month  ago  ; 
and  then  followed  the  proclamation  of  Secretary  Woodson,  which, 
acting  under  presidential  authority,  commanded  the  Legislature 
to  disperse,  and  threatened  it  with  violence  from  the  troops  in 
case  they  did  not  submit  to  this  order.  The  proclamation  being 
read,  these  gentlemen  made  their  exodus  as  they  had  made  their 
advent,  neither  being  accompanied  by  any  external  or  visible 
symptoms  of  a  moral  earthquake ;  and  the  convention  proceeded 
with  its  business,  which  had  been  interrupted.  This  evidently  cha 
grined  Donaldson,  who  turned  round  and  interrupted  the  debate 
upon  a  resolution,  by  asking  if  we  had  any  reply  to  carry  down 
to  Col'.  Sumner.  The  president  informed  Mr.  D.  that  this  assem 
blage  was  not  the  Legislature,  to  which  the  proclamation  had 
been  specially  addressed,  but  asked  him  if  it  was  desired  that 
we  should  send  any  reply.  Donaldson  said  No,  but,  if  we  had 
anything  to  send,  he  would  convey  it.  The  president,  on  behalf 


312  KANSAS. 

•"     ,      -T        '         '* 

of  the  convention,  informed  him  that  we  had  no  communication 
to  send. 

"  These  gentlemen  left,  and  matters  went  on  as  before.  It  was 
nearly  twelve  o'clock,  the  sun  was  blazing  down,  and  the  ther 
mometer  stood  at  100°,  when  we  learned  that  Col.  Sumner,  with 
five  companies  of  cavalry  and  two  pieces  of  brass  cannon,  were 
leaving  their  camp  and  approaching  Topeka  in  full  military  array. 
Although  they  were  only  two  hundred  yards  off,  the  report  did 
not  disturb  the  convention  or  other  matters.  If  resistance  had 
been  intended,  Col.  Sumner  never  would  have  entered  Topeka, 
and  would  have  been  met  before  he  could  get  possession.  It  had 
been  determined  that  no  resistance  should  be  offered  the  United 
States  troops,  but  that  we  should  proceed  with  our  business,  and 
let  them  do  their  worst. 

"  But  Col.  Sumner  fulfilled  his  duty  in  as  gentlemanly  a  man 
ner  as  such  wretched  orders  could  be  obeyed.  At  the  moment  of 
his  approach,  the  two  Topeka  companies,  F.  and  Gr.,  were  drawn 
up  before  the  legislative  hall  building.  They  had  just  marched 
up  the  street,  preceded  by  martial  music,  and  had  formed  in  front 
of  the  State  House  to  receive  a  banner  the  ladies  had  made 
for  company  G.  The  street  was  filled  with  a  crowd,  among  whom 
were  many  ladies  and  children,  when  Col.  Sumner  appeared  with 
his  forces,  rapidly  debouching  into  Kansas  Avenue.  With  great 
rapidity  and  considerable  military  skill  he  threw  his  men  forward, 
and  by  rapid  orders,  shouted  in  a  stern,  shrill  voice,  formed  his 
companies  into  the  strongest  form  they  could  occupy  for  their 
service.  Perhaps  many  hearts  beat  faster  when  they  thought 
that  a  scene  of  carnage  might  in  the  next  few  minutes  blot  out 
the  startling  and  brilliant  panorama.  On  the  one  hand,  the 
armed  and  uniformed  dragoons,  with  flashing  sabres ;  on  the 
other,  only  two  Topeka  companies,  with  their  two  banners,  one 
of  them  just  received,  bearing  the  inscription,  '  Our  lives  for  our 
rights.'  Nobly  they  stood.  While  the  dragoons  approached,  the 
band  was  playing,  but  the  drummers  continued  to  drum  until  the 
drumsticks  nearly  touched  the  noses  of  the  advancing  horses  of 
the  dragoons,  and  only  stopped  when  Sumner  requested  them. 
One  little  boy  was  beating  the  kettle-drum,  and  rattled  it  man- 


U.  S.  CAMP  —  DISPERSION  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.      313 

fully,  never  turning  to  look  at  the  dragoons.  In  the  rapid  move 
ments  of  the  dragoons  in  forming  into  position,  they  pressed  on 
the  Topeka  companies,  but  those  men  kept  their  position,  and 
only  stepped  out  of  their  ranks  when  the  horses  were  ridden  up 
to  them,  and  only  then  far  enough  not  to  be  trampled  on.  The 
sharp,  shrill  voice  of  Sumner  rung  through  Kansas  Avenue  and 
all  around  the  State  House,  as  he  gave  orders,  and  the  dragoons 
wheeled  into  form.  The  two  pieces  of  artillery  were  planted 
about  a  hundred  yards  up  the  street.  They  were  said  to  be 
loaded  with  grape.  The  slow-match  was  lighted. 

"  After  the  dragoons  were  placed  so  as  to  suit  Col.  Sumner's 
taste,  he  dismounted,  and  walked  towards  the  Assembly  rooms. 
Both  Senate  and  House  stood  adjourned  to  meet  at  twelve  o'clock; 
a  fact  of  which  Col.  Sumner  appeared  to  be  aware.  The  lower 
house  was  just  assembling,  when  Col.  Sumner  inquired  in  the 
hall  where  the  Legislature  met.  Mr.  S.  J.  Tappan,  Clerk  (the 
Speaker,  Mr.  Minard,  being  absent),  called  the  Legislature  to 
order  by  rapping  with  the  gavel  on  the  Speaker's  desk.  He  then 
called  the  roll,  and,  there  not  being  a  quorum,  sent  the  Sergeant- 
at-Arms  after  the  absentees.  When  Sumner  had  first  entered, 
and  had  been  invited  forward,  he  was  offered  a  chair  at  the  desk ; 
he  jocularly  asked  if  they  wanted  to  make  him  Speaker.  This 
was  received  by  a  hearty  shout  and  laughter.  The  rooms  were 
crowded  by  the  citizens  to  witness  the  spectacle,  and  some  ladies 
got  into  the  room.  The  roll  was  again  called  by  Mr.  C.  S.  Pratt, 
llecording  Clerk,  and  the  absentees  marked,  when  Col.  Sumner 
rose  and  said  : 

"  '  Gentlemen,  I  am  called  upon  this  day  to  perform  the 
most  painful  duty  of  my  whole  life.  Under  the  authority  of  the 
President's  proclamation,  I  am  here  to  disperse  this  Legislature, 
and  therefore  inform  you  that  you  cannot  meet.  I  therefore 
order  you  to  disperse.  God  knows  that  I  have  no  party  feeling 
in  this  matter,  and  will  hold  none  so  long  as  I  occupy  my  present 
position  in  Kansas.  I  have  just  returned  from  the  borders,  where 
I  have  been  sending  home  companies  of  Missourians,  and  now  I 
am  ordered  here  to  disperse  you.  Such  are  my  orders,  and  you 
27 


814  KANSAS. 

must  disperse.     I  now  command  you  to  disperse.     I  repeat  that 
this  is  the  most  painful  duty  of  my  whole  life.' 

"Judge  Schuyler  asked,  'Col.  Sumne-iyare  we  to  understand 
that  the  Legislature  are  driven  out  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  ?  ' 

"  Colonel  Sumner  :  '  I  shall  use  all  the  forces  in  my  command 
to  carry  out  my  orders.' 

"  The  Legislature  dispersed.  Some  of  the  members  in  town 
did  not  appear  at  the  hall ;  but  the  immortal  number  who  re 
sponded  to  their  names  occupy  a  proud  position.  Some  pleasant 
interchange  of  civilities  occurred  between  Col.  Sumner  and  per 
sons  in  the  hall  —  members  and  others.  He  left  the  hall,  and 
mounted  his  horse,  when  he  was  reminded  that  he  had  not  dis 
persed  the  Senate.  He  dismounted,  and  returned  to  the  Senate 
Chamber,  Donaldson  going  with  him;  Donaldson  having  also 
been  present  at  the  dispersion  of  the  Legislature.  The  Senate 
had  not  yet  been  convened,  as  it  was  but  very  little  past  the 
appointed  hour;  but  Col.  Sumner,  addressing  them  in  their  col 
lective  capacity,  proceeded  to  disperse  them  in  terms  something 
similar  to  those  used  in  the  hall  below.  When  he  concluded 
there  was  a  pause,  the  senators  standing  in  a  circle  silently  but 
respectfully.  No  one  was  in  the  hall  but  the  senators,  the  Senate 
officers,  Col.  Sumner,  Donaldson,  and  your  correspondent.  Col. 
':  Sumner  broke  the  pause  by  asking  if  they  intended  to  disperse. 
.With  calmness  and  dignity,  Mr.  Thornton,  President  of  the 
Senate,  replied  that  the  Senate  had  not  yet  convened,  and  could 
not  make  any  reply.  He  asked  Col.  Sumner  if  he  could  convene 
the  Senate,  so  that  they  could  make  a  reply  to  him.  Col.  Sumner 
replied  that  his  orders  were  to  prevent  them  from  meeting,  and 
that  they  could  not  convene,  but  must  disperse. 

"  Here  Donaldson  stepped  forward,  and  made  the  outrageous 
demand  that  the  senators  should  promise  not  to  assemble  again,  or 
he  would  arrest  every  member.  Monstrous  usurping  villany  for 
a  federal  officer !  If  he  had  writs  from  a  court  to  serve  on  either 
of  these  officers,  it  was  his  duty  to  serve  them  independent  of  any 
contingency ;  if  he  had  none,  he  had  no  right  to  arrest  or  molest 
a  man,  and  as  little  thus  to  insult  popular  representatives  thus 
assembled.  Several  senators  told  Col.  Sumner  that,  when  thus 


U.  S.  CAMP  —  DISPERSION  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE.      315 

dispersed  by  him,  they  would  of  course  disperse.  Mr.  Pillsbury 
said  that  they  were  there  in  no  condition  to  resist  the  United 
States  troops,  and  must  of  course  disperse.  Thus  was  the  Senate 
dispersed. 

"  When  Col.  Sumner  first  entered  the  town,  a  committee  from 
the  mass  convention  immediately  waited  on  him  to  ask  if  he 
intended  to  disperse  the  convention,  or  disband  the  military  com 
panies  on  parade.  He  replied  that  he  .did  not ;  he  merely 
intended  to  disperse  the  Legislature.  While  the  dragoons  were 
thus  drawn  up,  and  while  Col.  Sumner  made  this  reply, .three 
cheers  were  given  for  Col.  Sumner.  Mr.  Redpath  cried,  ?  Three 
cheers  for  Gov.  Robinson  !  '  which  were  given  very  heartily,  and 
then  three  cheers  for  liberty.  After  Col.  Sumner  had  dispersed 
both  branches  of  the  Assembly,  and  just  as  he  proceeded  to 
march  off  with  his  forces,  in  order  to  show  that  they  respected 
him  for  his  gentlemanly  conduct,  and  did  not  hold  him  responsible" 
for  the  grievous  outrage,  three  cheers  were  given  for  Col.  Sumner 
again,  three  cheers  for  the  national  flag,  three  cheers  for  the  State 
Legislature,  three  cheers  for  John  C.  Fremont,  which  were  :given 
as  the  dragoons  were  moving  off,  and  three  groans  for  Pierce." 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

"LAW-AND-ORDER"  MEN — FREE-STATE  MEN  AROUSED. 

July  1th.  —  We  experienced  a  heavy  rain  yesterday.  It  poured 
through  the  tents,  wetting  everything.  This  tent-life  in  the  burn 
ing  sun  and  pouring  rains  will  be  a  good  recipe  for  ague  or 
cholera.  So,  besides  the  discomfort  of  the  present,  we  have  these 
in  anticipation.  Capt.  W.  left  on  Saturday,  and  Capt.  Sackett,  a 
noble-looking  man,  has  the  prisoners  now  in  charge. 

To-day  a  gentleman  has  been  in  camp  from  Illinois.  He  with  a 
party  of  seventeen  were  robbed  at  Leavenworth  of  their  arms  and 
farming  utensils.  Several  of  them  were  hunted  for  their  lives. 
(Aid  was  afterwards  asked  of  Gen.  Smith  in  recovering  these 
goods,  a  letter  being  sent  to  him  from  Woodson  counselling  such 
interference ;  but  he  declined  giving  it.)  Also,  eight  families 
from  Illinois,  when  near  Platte  city,  were  turned  back  by  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  armed  with  United  States  muskets  and 
bayonets.  The  stereotyped  questions  of  "  Where  are  you  from  ?  " 
and  "  Where  going  ?  "  were  put  to  the  emigrants.  The  leader  of  the 
rumans  said,  "  I  suppose  you  've  hearn  that  we  don't  allow  any 
movers  to  go  through  into  the  territory."  When  the  rumans  pro 
claimed  their  intention  of  searching  the  wagons,  an  Iowa  man 
objected,  but  a  revolver  was  quickly  drawn  upon  him.  After 
searching  their  wagons  twice,  and  taking  all  the  arms,  they  took 
them  back  under  guard  to  Liberty,  Missouri,  telling  them  "  they 
could  go  where  they  pleased,  so  they  did  not  go  into  the  ter 
ritory." 

What  new  scheme  of  villany,  for  the  subjugation  of  Kansas, 
shall  we  hear  ?  Step  by  step  the  work  has  gone  on.  Missourians 


"  LAW-AND-ORDER  "    MEN,   ETC.  317 

have  invaded  the  territory,  and,  by  force,  taken  possession  of  the 
polls.  They  have  trampled  upon  the  right  of  the  people  to  make 
their  own  laws.  They  have  framed  a  code  of  laws  which  would 
have  disgraced  the  dark  ages.  They  have  denied  the  citizens  of 
the  territory  the  right  of  free  speech.  They  have,  for  weeks,  be 
sieged  a  town  under  the  leadership  of  the  governor.  They  have 
burned  and  sacked  towns  under  the  United  States  Marshal,  the 
aforesaid  governor  offering  no  word  of  disapproval ;  they  have 
murdered,  with  all  the  cruelties  of  the  Fejee  islands,  peaceable 
settlers.  AVithout  restraint  they  have  robbed  and  pillaged.  They 
have  blockaded  the  Missouri  river.  No  more  bloody  or  meaner 
pirates,  sailing  under  black  flags,  ever  infested  the  high  seas,  years 
ago.  Now  the  debauched  and  desperate  robbers  search  and  send 
back  peaceable  emigrants,  their  wagons  laden  with  the  emblems 
of  their  occupation,  ploughs,  and  farming  implements. 

We  have  moved  camp  again  to-day,  two  miles  further  from 
Lecompton.  It  was  my  first  experience  in  the  inside  of  these  huge 
covpred  wagons.  I  protested  that  I  would  rather  walk  than 
attempt  to  mount  into  such  a  vehicle ;  but  they  all  said  ride.  By 
extra  effort  E.  and  I  got  in,  attempting  to  find  a  place  to  sit 
among  the  mattresses.  At  first  move,  one  of  the  mules,  by  rap 
idly  throwing  up  his  feet,  was  soon  out  of  harness.  The  jolting 
of  the  wao-on  was  intolerable  when  the  mules  travelled  faster  than 

O 

a  walk. 

2Qth.  — July  days  are  passing  with  little  variety.  We  have  a 
great  deal  of  company;  many  days  four  or  five  carriage  loads. 
They  are  people  from  Lawrence,  and  other  settlements,  while 
many  strangers  travelling  in  the  territory  call  to  "  look  in  upon 
the  traitors."  A  number  of  ladies  living  on  claims  some  miles 
from  Lawrence,  whom  we  had  never  met,  have  visited  us  in  camp. 
They  are  very  intelligent  and  refined. 

Gren.  Smith  has  arrived  in  Leavenworth.  As  he  was  passing 
Delaware,  a  little  settlement  among  the  hills,  the  boat  was  hailed, 
and  obliged  to  stop.  A  band  of  ruffians,  gathered  from  the  "  four 
corners  of  Satan's  dominions,"  demanded,  "Are  there  any  abolition 
ists  on  board  ?  "  Gov.  Shannon  and  his  wife  also  came  up  the 
river  in  the  same  boat.  They  came  through  in  the  stage  from 
27* 


318  KANSAS. 

Kansas  city  to  Lecompton.  When  passing  places  of  more  than 
usual  loveliness,  she  would  say,  "  she  should  like  a  plantation 
there,  with  about  two  dozen  negroes."  To  the  question  how  she 
liked  "border  ruffians,"  she  said,  "  she  liked  them  infinitely  better 
than  Massachusetts  paupers."  Every  time  any  attempt  was  made 
by  others  in  the  stage  to  vindicate  the  free-state  cause,  she  re 
marked,  "she  did  not  wish  to  hear  anything  about  it."  She 
remained  scarcely  a  week  in  Kansas,  and,  in  reply  to  the  ques 
tion,  "  Will  you  return  to  Kansas  ?  "  she  said,  "  I  should  like  to 
live  in  Kansas  if  it  is  a  slave  state,  I  suffer  so  much  where  I  am 
in  associating  with  abolitionists."  It  would  be  kind  in  the  gov 
ernor  to  have  regard  for  her  sufferings,  and  go  into  some  obscurity, 
where  she  could  be  relieved  from  the  enlightened  intelligence  of 
Ohio. 

Col.  Titus,  a  few  days  ago,  told  a  man  who  came  to  him  for 
money  to  buy  a  claim,  with  oaths,  "  Wait,  and  we  will  get  it  any 
how.  Now  is  the  time  to  drive  out  the  d — d  Yankees." 

Acting  upon  this  impression,  probably,  two  days  since,  he  at 
tacked  a  young  man,  living  on  a  claim  two  miles  from  Lecompton. 
After  beating  him  severely,  and  jumping  upon  him,  he  ordered  an 
accomplice,  standing  by,  to  fire  his  house.  A  free-state  man 
immediately  talked  plainly  to  Gov.  S.  in  relation  to  it,  and  con 
cluded  by  telling  him,  "  if  he  did  not  prevent  such  outrages,  the 
people  would." 

Gov.  S.  immediately  sent  for  troops  to  protect  Titus.  Free- 
state  men  are  driven  from  their  claims,  beaten  and  killed.  Then 
the  governor  employs  the  troops  to  protect  the  assassins.  Such  is 
dragoon  government  in  Kansas.  It  leaves  the  free-state  people 
exposed  to  all  outrages ;  and,  when  they  would  assert  their  rights, 
and  take  care  of  themselves  by  driving  out  the  ruffians,  the  dra 
goons  protect  them  by  orders  of  the  governor.  Gov.  Shannon 
has  said,  repeatedly,  that  the  state  "  prisoners,  if  charged,  would 
be  tried;  if  tried,  convicted;  and,  if  convicted,  hung."  Judge 
Lecompte  has  made  similar  statements.  Woodson  has  said,  "  they 
did  not  expect  there  would  be  a  trial,  but  they  meant  to  keep 
them  imprisoned." 

W.  P.  Fain,  who  acted  as  deputy  marshal  in  arresting  Judge 


HEN,    ETC.  319 

Smith  and  G.  W.  Deitzler,  was  in  camp  the  other  day.  While  talk 
ing  of  the  Toombs  bill,  the  prisoners  stated  "  that  they  had  no 
confidence  in  the  President  appointing  men  who  would  take  the 
census  fairly."  He  replied,  "  I  would  do  it." 

When  they  asked  him,  "  if  he  was  to  be  one  of  the  commis 
sioners,"  he  replied  in  the  affirmative,  thus  showing  the  whole  mat 
ter  to  have  been  arranged  before  Stringfellow  went  to  Washing 
ton.  There  was  a  heavy  shower  a  few  nights  since.  Our  tent 
being  the  poorest  shelter  from  rain  of  all,  Capt.  Sackett  urged 
us  to  sleep  in  one  of  his ;  but  we  preferred  staying  in  our 
own.  When  the  storm  came,  the  wind  was  terrible.  The  rain 
came  through  in  streams,  and  little  lakes  were  standing  in  every 
hollow  on  the  bed.  At  this  unpleasant  juncture,  the  captain  sent 
down  an  India-rubber  blanket,  and,  by  removing  the  wet  ones,  no 
one  suffered  very  severely.  Towards  morning,  a  heavy  wind  tore 
up  a  part  of  the  stakes,  and  a  drenching  rain  came  full  upon  us. 
There  was  not  a  dry  spot  in  the  bed,  and  no  more  sleep  for  us. 
We  had,  however,  a  hearty  laugh  with  Capt.  Sackett,  for  the  tent 
he  had  kindly  assigned  us  was  prostrate;  the  only  one  which 
had  been  so  essentially  affected  by  the  storm. 

31s£.  —  A  man,  by  the  name  of  Le  Hays,  active  in  the  plunder 
ing  of  Lawrence,  has  boasted  much  of  the  spoils  which  fell  to  his 
share  —  silver  ware,  ladies'  apparel,  besides  guns.  On  the  night 
of  the  18th  his  house  was  entered  by  a  party  of  men,  and  the 
guns  were  taken.  Gov.  Shannon  is  much  excited  about  it.  He 
says  they  were  men  from  Lawrence  and  vicinity,  and  reports  the 
house  generally  plundered.  A  strong  guard  was  forthwith  set 
around  Lecompton.  On  the  20th,  Cramer,  the  deputy  marshal, 
came  to  camp,  and  ordered  Capt.  Sackett  not  to  allow  any  person 
to  converse  with  the  prisoners  privately.  "  His  responsibility, 
since  the  sacking  of  Lawrence,  in  regard  to  the  prisoners,  had 
weighed  upon  him  much."  But  Capt.  Sackett  at  once  informed 
him,  "he  need  give  himself  no  further  trouble  on  the  subject,  as 
the  responsibility  of  their  safe-keeping  rested  upon  him."  The 
little  fellow  appeared  pleased;  but  his  wrath  was  only  pent  up. 
He  met  a  man,  soon  after  leaving  camp,  and  poured  it  forth  in 
execrations  upon  the  captain,  declaring  that  "  Robinson  was  more 


320  KANSAS. 

the  governor  of  the  territory  than  Shannon  ;  "  that  "  the  prisoners 
should  be  taken  from  Capt.  Sackett's  charge,  and  that  their  lives 
would  not  be  safe  an  hour."  On  the  21st  the  little  deputy  came 
ligain,  with  a  letter  from  Gov.  Shannon,  in  which  he  advised  that 
"persons  and  letters  be  not  allowed  to  go  into  camp  ;  that  the 
territory  had  never  been  in  so  bad  a  condition  ;  that  he  believed  the 
prisoners  were  implicated  in  these  disturbances,  and  in  great  meas 
ure  the  occasion  of  them."  Cramer,  at  the  captain's  tent,  also 
said,  "  The  governor  don't  know  what  to  do."  He  talked  so 
loudly,  it  was  quite  impossible  not  to  hear  what  was  said.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  only  two  days  had  passed  since  the  governor 
had  been  informed,  that,  if  such  outrages  as  that  of  Titus  contin 
ued,  the  people  would  try  to  suppress  them.  "Word  was  returned 
to  the  governor  from  Capt.  Sackett  that  "  he  had  his  orders  from 
Col.  Sumner  to  give  up  the  prisoners  to  the  civil  authorities, 
if  unnecessary  restrictions  were  placed  upon  them."  Gov.  Shannon 
immediately  sent  to  Capt.  Sackett,  that  "  he  did  not  know  he 
had  orders  from  Col.  Sumner,  but,  if  he  had,  of  course  he  must 
obey  them."  He  swore,  however,  "  he  would  see  if  he  could 
not  make  Capt.  Sackett  obey  orders,"  and  sent  an  express  to 
Gen.  Smith  at  the  fort.  Gen.  Smith  proposed  not  to  interfere  in 
matters  in  the  territory,  and,  no  change  being  made  in  the  treat 
ment  of  the  prisoners,  the  governor  was  disappointed,  and  unable 
to  carry  out  his  threats.  On  the  19th  he  was  heard  to  say,  as 
at  many  other  times,  that  "  Gov.  Robinson  would  be  hung." 

A  wagon  of  provisions  for  Palmyra  was  robbed  at  Westport 
a  few  days  since,  and,  on  the  22d,  Mr.  P.,  a  daguerrian  of 
Lawrence,  was  nearly  killed  about  a  mile  from  town,  by  three 
men  from  Franklin.  He  was  fired  upon,  and  so  badly  wounded 
by  their  jumping  upon  his  body,  that  he  was  very  ill,  and  it  is  feared 
will  never  recover.  Several  bowie-knives  were  found  in  the  grass 
next  day.  Major  Sedgwick  protected  Titus  only  one  night,  and 
removed  his  camp  about  a  fourth  of  a  mile  from  Capt.  Sackett's 
camp.  Then  Titus  gathered  about  him  a  gang  of  desperadoes 
like  himself.  Major  Kichardson  is  reported  to  have  gone  up 
north  to  intercept  emigrants  coming  into  the  territory.  Three 
men  from  Lecompton  have  been  to  see  Capt.  Walker,  of  the  free- 


MEN,    ETC.  821 

state  forces.  They  desire  all  matters  amicably  adjusted.  There 
is  talk  of  vigilance  committees  of  equal  numbers,  free-state  men 
and  pro-slavery,  to  try  offenders.  Gov.  Shannon  has  expressed 
himself  in  favor  of  letting  the  territorial  laws  go,  as  the  House 
has  admitted  free  Kansas.  Woodson  is  very  strongly  opposed. 

A  few  days  since,  a  free-state  man,  in  Lecompton,  was  ordered 
out  of  town  by  Wm.  Donaldson.  The  people  there,  effectually 
frightened  at  the  turn  affairs  are  taking,  returned  the  compli 
ment,  ordering  Donaldson  to  leave  town.  They  immediately  had 
a  circular  printed,  inviting  people  into  their  town,  and  promising 
them  safety. 

Mr.  Wilson  and  daughter,  from  South  Carolina,  were  in  camp 
a  little  time  on  the  21st.  They  were  strangers  in  the  territory. 
When  Mr.  Wilson  returned  to  Lawrence,  he  refused  to  pay  the 
four  dollars  for  the  team,  which  he  promised  on  taking  it.  Chap 
man,  one  of  the  Shawnee  council,  declared  he  would  have  the 
one  dollar  still  retained  by  Mr.  Wilson,  and  the  next  morning,  as 
Mr.  W.  was  going  to  Westport  in  the  stage,  Chapman  asked  him 
again  for  the  money.  Upon  his  refusing,  Chapman  struck  him 
on  the  head  with  a  heavy  stick.  After  the  wound  was  dressed, 
against  the  advice  of  others,  he  continued  his  journey  to  West- 
port,  and  died  soon  after  reaching  there.  Chapman  was  examined 
before  a  justice  at  Lecompton,  and  released  on  bail,  $3,500. 
Sam  Sailers  arid  Ilaney  were  his  bondsmen,  both  notorious  for 
their  villany,  and  pecuniarily  irresponsible.  The  bail  asked  in 
the  case  of  Evans,  free-state,  by  an  impartial  ztfjustice,  at  Le 
compton,  was  $5,000,  and  in  case  of  young  Doy,  also  free-state, 
taken  on  charge  of  horse-stealing,  no  bail  could  be  admitted. 
Chapman  lias  also  been  notorious  for  his  threats  against  the  lives 
of  several  of  the  citizens  of  Lawrence. 

All  kinds  of  vegetables  have  been  bountifully  supplied  to  the 
prisoners  for  many  weeks  by  their  friends.  In  some  cases  they 
have  brought  of  the  first  fruits  of  their  fields.  Wild  grapes  and 
apples  are  growing  plenty  now.  To-day  some  gentlemen,  concert- 
singers,  brought  their  melodeon  arid  sang  to  us.  It  made  quite  a 
variety  in  camp  life. 

August.  —  The  first  Sunday  in  August  we  had  preaching  in 


322  KANSAS. 

camp.  Mr.  N.,  and  a  large  number  of  people,  came  from  Law 
rence.  As  many  as  possible  sat  under  the  pavilion,  while  others 
occupied  the  carriages.  The  officers  and  soldiers  attended,  and 
all  together  we  made  a  goodly  number.  A  melodeon  was  also 
brought  up  from  town.  Major  Hoyt  brought  a  large  number  of 
beautiful  pond  lilies,  which,  at  his  suggestion,  were  placed  on  the 
table,  before  the  preacher. 

On  the  first  day  of  August,  Fain  was  in  Lawrence  attempting 
to  assess  taxes.  He  was  waited  upon  by  a  committee,  and  recom 
mended  to  leave.  A  very  intelligent  lady,  recently  from  Dela 
ware,  visited  us  in  camp.  The  camp  of  the  invading  horde  in 
May  was  close  by  her  house,  and  from  their  brutal  conduct  she 
suffered  much.  One  of  the  captains  of  the  gang  has  since  apolo 
gized  to  her,  saying,  "that  if  his  mother  in  Virginia  knew  in 
what  company  he  had  been,  or  what  he  had  been  doing,  she  would 
grieve  herself  to  death."  She  has  recently  buried  a  little  daugh 
ter,  who,  in  the  first  of  her  illness,  was  constantly  saying,  "  Ma 
ma,  don't  let  the  Kickapocs  shoot  me."  She  thinks  fear  was  the 
occasion  of  the  child's  death.  These  men  were  cursing  and 
swearing  about  their  house  nights,  and  firing  their  guns  in  the 
day-time,  so  that  the  balls  whizzed  past  her.  When  asked  by  her 
"  if  they  had  commands  to  disturb  peaceable  houses  on  the  Sab 
bath  day,"  they  replied,  "they  had  orders  to  go  where  they 
chose,  and  when  they  chose  ;  they  were  here  by  President  Pierce's 
authority,  and  acting  under  the  directions  of  Gov.  Shannon."  It 
is  said  in  Lecompton  to  be  the  plan  of  the  ruffians  to  kill  the  pris 
oners  on  the  day  of  the  trials.  Pro-slavery  men  from  the  same 
place  stated,  that,  on  the  5th,  Jones,  Clark  and  Titu*,  were  urging 
the  governor  to  call  out  the  "  militia,"  for  further  outrages.  "Word 
had  been  received  from  Col.  Boone,  of  Westport,  that  "  now  was 
the  time  to  drive  out  the  free-state  men."  Shannon  had  sworn 
he  would  not  call  out  the  "  militia"  again,  and  the  above  named 
"  law-and-order  "  men  threatened  to  put  him  in  the  rirer,  and 
were  holding  a  secret  session  as  to  the  course  to  be  pursued.  On 
the  6th  news  came  of  Gov.  Shannon's  removal. 

Robberies  on  the  Westport  road  are  becoming  more  frequent. 
Preparatory  to  the  expected  passage  of  the  Toombs  bill,  many 


ETC.  323 

Missourians  and  Southerners  have  been  coming  into  the  territory. 
They  have  not  taken  claims  and  built  houses  upon  them,  but  have 
built  forts  and  stocked  them  with  provisions  and  munitions  of  war. 
It  all  looked  like  a  war  of  extermination,  and  preparations  for  a 
general  siege,  although  many  Missourians  had  said  they  were 
coming  in  to  vote.  The  principal  head-quarters  for  the  invaders 
were  the  fort  near  Osawattomie,  one  on  Washington  Creek,  at 
Franklin,  and  the  house  of  Col.  Titus.  From  the  latter,  morning 
and  evening,  we  heard  the  report  of  fire-arms,  as  his  gang  were 
firing  at  a  mark.  Depredations  being  committed  by  the  men  at 
all  these  places,  it  was  decided  to  drive  them  out.  About  the 
eighth,  a  party  of  free-state  men  reached  the  fort  on  Sugar  Creek, 
but  Dame  Rumor  had  flown  in  advance  of  it,  and  the  fort  was 
vacated.  The  invaders  had  gone  back  to  their  homes  in  Missouri, 
leaving  a  load  of  flour,  sugar,  hams,  etc.  The  flour  and  sugar 
were  taken,  while  the  bacon  was  burned  with  the  fort. 

Several  of  the  free-state  scouts  to  the  upper  country  have 
returned.  They  report  the  emigrants  making  roads,  and  bridging 
streams.  Some  of  the  scouts  went  through  to  Iowa.  The  reports 
of  the  emigrants  being  intercepted  by  Missourians  were  false. 
There  are  over  four  hundred  emigrants  on  the  way.  The  train 
is  more  than  a  mile  and  a  quarter  long.  Such  a  body  of  men 
looked  formidable  to  the  spies  of  the  enemy,  and  they  returned  to 
report  larger  numbers. 

The  people  at  Lecompton  are  exceedingly  alarmed  for  the  safety 
of  their  town.  For  a  week  or  two  they  have  been  so  worn  out, 
keeping  a  nightly  guard,  that  they  have  hired  a  guard,  paying 
each  man  two  dollars  a  night.  At  several  different  times  they 
have  been  awakened  in  the  night  by  a  courier  going  in  with  the 
false  report  of  the  free-state  men  close  at  hand.  Early  on  the 
morning  of  the  12th,  Titus  sent  in  word  that  he  had  seen  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  free-state  horsemen  approaching  the 
town,  which  at  once  created  a  panic.  On  the  night  of  the  13th, 
we  heard  firing  in  the  direction  of  Lawrence,  and  before  sunrise 
the  next  morning,  an  express  was  sent  to  Maj.  Sedgwick.  As  he 
rode  in  by  our  tents,  the  sentinel  hailed  him  with,  "  What  news?  " 
His  reply  was,  "  War !  war  !  " 


324  KANSAS. 

The  free-state  men  made  an  attack  upon  a  building  in  Franklin. 
It  was  the  same  building  that  was  stormed  in  the  little  battle  of 
the  4th  of  June,  but,  as  a  block-house,  had  been  considerably 
strengthened  since  then.  It  was  the  first  station  of  the  Georgians 
beyond  "W  estport,  and  contained,  besides  a  quantity  of  small  arms, 
a  six-pounder  brass  cannon,  which  had  been  brought  into  the  ter 
ritory  in  May.  They  called  upon  those  in  the  block-house  to  sur 
render,  before  firing  at  all.  After  three  hours'  brisk  firing,  the 
free-state  men,  having  one  man  killed  and  several  wounded,  drew 
a  wagon  load  of  burning  hay  against  the  building,  when  the  cry 
for  "  quarter  "  was  heard.  The  hay  was  soon  drawn  away,  and 
the  occupants  of  the  fort  threw  down  their  arms  and  fled.  The 
guns  and  cannon  were  taken  by  the  free-state  men. 

The  immediate  occasion  of  the  attack  at  Franklin  at  that  time, 
was  the  sad  news  of  the  murder  of  Maj.  D.  S.  Hoyt,  which  had 
been  received  that  day. 

For  some  time  the  settlers  along  the  Wakarusa,  and  near  Wash 
ington  Creek,  had  been  much  harassed  by  Georgians  at  that  fort. 
Their  threats  of  extermination  of  the  free-state  settlers  were  re 
peatedly  heard,  and  robberies  by  them  were  of  frequent  occur 
rence.  The  settlers  had  sent  messengers  to  Lawrence,  and  other 
points,  at  different  times,  asking  help.  Several  appeals  had  been 
made  to  the  troops,  but  Maj.  Sedgwick  declined  doing  anything, 
as  he  had  no  authority  to  act. 

On  the  eleventh  and  twelfth,  messengers  were  again  sent  to  him, 
asking  him  to  do  something  quickly  for  the  protection  of  the  set 
tlers  in  that  region.  He  had  been  informed  by  Capt.  Anderson, 
of  the  troops,  whose  company  during  the  summer  had  recruited 
some  of  Buford's  men,  that  the  camp  was  a  peaceable  one,  and  he 
so  stated  to  the  gentlemen  from  Lawrence.  At  the  request  of  the 
people  of  Lawrence,  Major  Hoyt  went  out  to  the  camp.  He  was 
most  brutally  murdered  by  the  Georgians,  his  body  being  riddled 
with  bullets.  Major  Hoyt  was  an  efficient  aid  to  the  free-state 
cause,  and  was  universally  esteemed. 

This  outrage  aroused  the  free-state  men  yet  more  to  the  neces 
sity  of  breaking  up  the  stronghold  of  these  barbarians  ;  and  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  15th,  the  fort  on  Washington  Creek  was  burned. 


ON,    ETC.  325 

The  fort  was  strongly  garrisoned  and  provisioned,  and  contained 
many  articles  taken  at  the  siege  of  Lawrence.  Without  striking 
a  blow  the  Georgians  fled.  In  the  night,  Titus'  band  was  out,  as 
usual,  stealing  horses.  They  had  taken  three,  when  they  came 
upon  the  advance  guard  of  the  free-state  men.  Titus,  seeing  the 
numbers  upon  which  he  had  fallen,  fled,  they  following  but  a  little 
way,  and  taking  one  or  two  prisoners. 

About  sunrise  the  next  morning,  the  16th,  firing  was  heard  near 
our  tents,  and  one  of  the  cannon  balls  whizzed  past  us.  Two  or 
three  horsemen  were  standing  upon  a  high  hill,  a  half  a  mile  dis 
tant,  apparently  watching  the  troops  in  camp.  A  heavy  shower 
came  up ;  the  rain  poured  in  torrents.  Our  breafast  had  been 
set  upon  the  table,  but  the  frail  cloth  overhead  was  like  a  sieve, 
and  each  of  us  caught  some  of  the  dishes,  and  ran  into  the  nearest 
tent.  A  messenger  from  Gov.  Shannon  had  come  to  Major  S.'s 
camp.  The  bugle-call  had  sounded,  and  the  troops  were  soon  on 
their  way  to  Lecompton.  At  the  moment  the  troops  started,  the 
horsemen  on  the  hill  disappeared.  As  we  sat  in  a  little  tent,  a 
la  Turque,  eating  our  breakfast,  with  our  plates  in  our  laps,  one 
of  the  persons  looking  out,  said,  "  Titus'  house  is  on  fire.  The 
black  smoke  is  rising  over  the  hill." 

A  little  time  passed,  and  a  wagon,  with  a  lady  and  several 
children,  of  various  shades  of  color,  came  to  Capt.  Sackett  for  pro 
tection.  It  was  Mrs.  Woodson  and  her  household,  who,  fearful, 
had  fled  from  their  house,  one  half  mile  distant  from  Titus'. 
When  Lieut.  Carr  reached  Lecompton,  in  accordance  with  Major 
Sedgwick's  orders,  Gov.  Shannon  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  It 
was  only  after  repeated  inquiries,  he  received  the  reply,  "  You 
may  find  him  by  the  river."  Going  there,  he  found  the  executive 
getting  into  the  scow  to  go  across  the  river.  How  one's  imagina 
tion  brings  up  the  picture  of  Ca3sar  crossing  the  Rubicon  !  As  he 
returned  with  Lieut.  C.,  and  met  Major  S.  at  the  point  designated, 
he  was  asked  "  what  were  his  orders." 

He  replied,  "  I  don't  think  I  will  have  anything  done  with 

them  ;    but  we  will  go  and  see  if  they  have  disturbed  Major 

Clarke  "  (the  murderer).     The  four  hundred  free-state  men,  going 

over  the  prairie  on  their  way  back  to  Lawrence,  looked  too  for- 

28 


326  KANSAS. 

midable  to  the  pusillanimous  governor.  Major  C.'s  residence  was 
found  deserted,  the  doors  wide  open,  furniture  left  as  just  used, 
and  everything  betraying  that  some  great  fear  had  driven  them 
from  their  homes.  The  fright  and  confusion  at  Lecompton  were 
terrible.  Any  way  to  get  over  the  river  seemed  to  be  the  desid 
eratum  ;  many  even,  in  their  haste,  jumped  in  to  swim  over.  Col. 
Titus  and  eighteen  men  were  taken  prisoners.  Among  them  was 
Wm.  Donaldson,  who  had  been  my  husband's  guard  on  his  way  from 
Lexington.  Titus  had  several  prisoners  in  his  house,  —  men  just 
arrived  in  the  territory.  The  order  of  the  previous  evening  had 
been  to  shoot  one  of  them  that  morning. 

Some  of  the  type  of  the  Herald  of  Freedom  office  had  been 
taken  from  the  Kaw,  and  melted  into  slugs.  These  were  used  to 
load  the  cannon  in  the  attack  upon  Titus'  stronghold.  At  the 
first  fire,  the  cannoneer  cried,  "This  is  the  second  edition  of  the 
Herald  of  Freedom." 

The  prisoners  were  taken  to  Lawrence.  The  next  day,  Sunday 
the  17th,  Maj.  Sedgwick,  Gov.  Shannon  and  Dr.  Rodrigue,  of 
Lecompton,  went  to  Lawrence  to  make  a  treaty.  The  two  latter 
were  ready  to  make  terms  anyhow.  They  trembled  like  aspen 
leaves  for  fear.  Gov.  Shannon's  second  treaty  with  the  people 
of  Lawrence  was  concluded.  The  five  free-state  men  arrested  after 
the  attack  at  Franklin,  under  the  bogus  laws,  and  the  howitzer 
taken  from  Lawrence  in  May,  were  to  be  exchanged  for  Titus  and 
his  band.  There  were  also  to  be  no  more  arrests  under  the  terri 
torial  laws. 

Gov.  Shannon  made  a  speech,  in  which  he  stated  "he  wished 
to  set  himself  right,  before  the  people  of  Lawrence ;  that  he  de 
sired  peace  and  harmony  for  the  few  days  of  his  continuance  in 
office ;  "  and  concluded  by  saying,  "  and  the  few  days  that  I 
remain  in  office  shall  be  devoted,  so  help  me  Heaven,  in  carry 
ing  out  faithfully  my  part  of  the  agreement,  and  in  preserving 
order." 

Capt.  Shombre,  of  the  free-state  party,  was  mortally  wounded, 
but  his  expressed  sentiment  was,  "  Willingly  I  yield  my  life  for 
freedom."  When  they  told  him  of  the  treaty,  like  Wolfe,  he  said, 
"  I  die  happy."  He  died,  much  regretted  by  our  people,  on  the 


MEN,    ETC.  327 

evening  of  the  17th.  The  treaty  was  carried  into  effect  the  next 
day.  Titus  and  Donaldson  begged  most  piteously  for  their  lives. 
It  was  humiliating  to  see  men,  who  had  no  mercy  for  any  who  fell 
into  their  power,  yet  beg  so  humbly  for  their  own  lives.  They 
said  "  they  would  go  to  their  old  homes,  and  would  never  strike 
another  blow  for  slavery  in  Kansas." 

But  Titus,  safely  in  Lecompton  again,  has  sworn  vengeance. 
He  was  badly  wounded  in  the  shoulder  and  hand,  and  one  of  his 
men  was  killed.  Dr.  Rodrigue  and  family  passed  down  to  West- 
port  on  the  18th,  on  their  way  to  Virginia.  Judge  Elmore,  with 
his  family  and  slaves,  left  the  territory  the  same  day.  Gov.  Shan 
non  asked  for  a  military  escort  out  of  the  territory,  but  was  told 
the  people  would  call  him  a  coward  in  truth.  The  difference  in 
men  fighting  for  their  homes  and  lives,  and  their  oppressors,  has 
been  clearly  marked  in  this  contest.  Fear  has  been  the  daily  and 
nightly  portion  of  the  people  of  Lecompton  since  their  attack  upon 
Lawrence.  Now,  when  their  gangs  of  desperadoes  have  been  routed 
in  three  or  four  positions,  the  panic  has  become  general,  and  the 
leading  men  of  the  pro-slavery  party  remove  their  families  from 
the  territory.  Women  leave  their  homes  to  ask  protection  of  mil 
itary  commanders,  and  pro-slavery  towns  beg  a  dragoon  guard. 

Gov.  Shannon,  immediately  after  the  treaty  at  Lawrence,  sent 
for  all  the  troops  in  the  fort.  When  asked  by  one  of  the  military 
officers  what  was  the  message  he  sent,  he  said  "  he  did  not  know, 
as  he  had  sent  his  papers,  among  which  was  the  copy  of  his  let 
ter  to  Gen.  Smith,  by  his  son,  to  West-port."  Wholly  different 
from  this  was  the  course  of  the  men  and  women  of  Lawrence. 
Calmly  they  looked  upon  the  devastation,  and  awaited  the  hour 
when  God  would  avenge  them.  People  upon  claims,  close  by  the 
ruffians'  camp,  remained  at  their  homes.  Faith  in  the  final  uphold 
ing  of  justice  was  their  shield. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

NEW   INVASION RELEASE    OF   STATE    PRISONERS. 

ON  the  19th  of  August  another  most  brutal  murder  was  com 
mitted  near  Leavenworth.  A  gentleman  named  Hops,  from  Griggs- 
ville,  111.,  only  six  days  in  the  territory,  was  shot  and  scalped  by 
a  man  named  Fugert,  who  belonged  to  Atchison's  ruffian  band 
encamped  near  Leavenworth.  He  had  made  a  bet  of  six  dollars 
against  a  pair  of  boots,  that  in  less  than  two  hours  he  would  have 
an  abolitionist's  scalp.  He  returned  to  Lawrence,  received  the 
boots,  and  exhibited  the  scalp  as  a  token  of  his  prowess. 

Mr.  Hops  had  hired  a  house  in  Leavenworth,  intending  to  locate 
there.  He  then  brought  his  wife  to  Lawrence,  to  remain  a  few 
days  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Nute,  wife  of  the  Unitarian  clergyman. 
Upon  his  return,  within  two  miles  of  Leavenworth,  the  horrid 
deed  was  committed.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Fort  Leav 
enworth,  where  United  States  troops  are  stationed,  is  only  three 
miles  distant.  A  German,  who  spoke  freely  of  the  atrocity  of  the 
deed,  was  shot  upon  the  spot. 

A  day  or  two  after,  a  young  free-state  lady,  of  Bloomington, 
was  carried  from  her  home  a  mile  and  a  half,  by  four  ruffians,  her 
tongue  drawn  out  of  her  mouth  as  far  as  possible,  and  cords  tied 
tightly  around  it.  Her  arms  were  pinioned,  and  she  was  otherwise 
so  wantonly  abused,  that  for  days  her  life  was  despaired  of. 

On  the  twenty-first,  Woodson,  declaring  the  territory  in  a  state 
of  insurrection,  called  out  the  militia.  For  several  days  Woodson, 
Jones,  and  others,  at  Lecompton,  had  been  trying  to  induce  Gov. 
Shannon  to  resign  his  office,  as  he  would  not  call  out  the  militia, 
that  Woodson  might  do  it.  The  ruffians  were  very  loud  in  their 
praises  of  him,  saying,  "  he  was  just  the  governor  they  wanted." 


NEW   INVASION  —  RELEASE   OF   STATE    PRISONERS.    329 

The  plan  was  to  have  a  general  war  of  extermination  before  Gov. 
Geary  could  arrive.  Gov.  Shannon,  most  urgently  solicited,  at 
length  resigned  the  morning  of  the  day  his  papers  of  dismissal 
came  from  Washington.  He  again  asked  for  an  escort  from  the 
territory  ;  but  the  military  officer  declined,  upon  the  plea  that  the 
free-state  men  had  asked  for  an  escort  upon  the  same  road,  stat 
ing  it  was  unsafe  for  them  to  travel,  being  infested  by  pro-slavery 
camps.  The  ex-governor's  angry  retort  was,  "  Then,  by  G — d, 
I  '11  fight  my  way  through !  " 

On  the  twenty-second,  a  party  of  Georgians  made  a  descent 
upon  the  Quaker  Mission  in  the  Shawnee  Reserve,  plundering  it 
of  horses  and  other  property,  while  they  treated  the  people  with 
barbarity. 

On  the  twenty-third  it  was  ascertained  that  Atchison's  force, 
numbering  four  hundred  and  fifty  men,  were  mustering  at  Little 
Sante  Fe,  on  the  border  of  Missouri,  and  about  thirty-five  miles 
from  Lawrence,  preparatory  to  another  invasion  of  the  territory. 
At  Lawrence  there  were  about  two  thousand  people,  men,  wo 
men,  and  children.  There  was  great  scarcity  of  provisions,  and 
not  twenty  sacks  of  flour  in  the  whole  town.  People  from  the 
Big  Stranger  Creek,  about  half  way  between  Lawrence  and  Leav- 
enworth,  had  been  driven  from'  their  claims,  and  in  some  instances 
both  men  and  women  had  been  most  barbarously  treated.  It  was 
considered  unsafe  to  send  teams  for  provisions  past  the  camps  of 
the  ruffians.  The  route  to  Kansas  city  was  also  blockaded.  Three 
times  an  escort  had  been  asked  of  the  highest  officer  in  command, 
out  of  the  fort,  and  three  times  been  refused. 

On  the  24th  of  August,  five  of  the  citizens  of  Lawrence  called 
upon  Woodson.  They  found  him  in  the  tent  of  the  officers  in 
command  of  the  troops.  The  committee  stated  that  the  people  of 
Lawrence  were  out  of  provisions,  that  their  roads  were  blockaded 
by  armed  mobs.  They  asked  whether  he  intended  to  allow  this 
overwhelming  force  to  murder,  burn,  and  pillage?  He  replied, 
»  if  the  people  of  Lawrence  would  obey  the  laws,  this  thing 
(meaning  the  invasion)  could  be  settled  in  five  hours."  C.  W. 
Babcock  then  said,  "  Governor,  are  we  to  understand  that  your 
position  is  this  :  that  if  we  obey  the  bogus  laws,  you  will  protect 
28* 


330  KANSAS. 

us  with  the  whole  force  under  your  command  (meaning  the  troops), 
and,  if  not,  you  will  allow  us  to  be  murdered  ?  Is  that  your  posi 
tion  ?  "  Woodson  replied,  "  The  laws  must  be  obeyed,  and  writs 
executed."  The  committee  concluded  that  they  must  depend 
wholly  upon  the  strength  of  the  free-state  men,  if  Lawrence  was 
attacked.  Volunteers  were  continually  arriving,  and  Lawrence 
again  looked  warlike.  The  forts  built  last  winter  were  repaired, 
and  new  ones  were  built.  Wheat  and  hay  were  carried  in  so  near 
town  that  they  could  riot  be  destroyed  by  the  marauders.  The 
wheat  was  ground  as  a  substitute  for  fine  flour,  and  many  cattle 
were  driven  in  near  town.  A  strong  guard  was  again  placed 
around  the  town,  while  the  scouting  guard  were  on  duty  miles 
away.  It  was  estimated  that  in  twelve  hours'  time  from  fifteen 
hundred  to  two  thousand  men  could  be  rallied  to  defend  Law 
rence. 

On  the  twenty-fifth,  Col.  Cook,  commandant  at  Fort  Riley, 
arrived  at  the  spot  where  Capt.  Sackett  was  in  charge  of  the  state 
prisoners.  He  came  with  a  large  additional  force,  which  num 
bered,  with  the  companies  called  in  from  different  parts  of  the  ter 
ritory,  about  five  hundred  troops.  They  had  five  pieces  of  artil 
lery,  and,  as  they  came  in  over  the  hills  to  our  quiet  little  camp, 
they  looked  quite  formidable.  The  care  of  the  prisoners  at  once 
devolved  upon  Col.  Cook.  He  manifested  the  responsibility  he 
felt  by  putting  on  an  extra  guard,  with  another  to  stand  by  to 
listen  to  conversation  when  any  company  was  in  the  tents.  Capt. 
Sackett,  with  thirty-five  men,  had  found,  for  seven  weeks,  one 
guard  all-sufficient  for  the  protection  of  the  prisoners.  Col.  Cook, 
with  five  hundred,  must  have  felt  strangely  insecure. 

On  the  twenty-seventh,  Mr.  Nute,  with  his  widowed  sister-in- 
law,  and  John  Wilder,  a  merchant  of  Lawrence,  with  a  number 
of  teams  for  provisions,  started  for  Leavenworth.  They  had  been 
advised  by  the  military  commanders  to  attempt  this  journey. 
When  near  Leavenworth  the  whole  party  were  captured  by  a  band 
of  ruffians  under  Capt.  Emory.  The  body  of  Mr.  Hops  had  been 
buried,  by  the  troops,  in  Pilot  Knob  cemetery,  and  his  widow  was 
denied  the  consolation  of  looking  upon  his  grave.  After  con- 


NEW  INVASION  —  RELEASE   OF  STATE   PRISONERS.    331 

tinued  refusals  by  the  ruffians,  she  at  last  succeeded  in  getting  on 
board  a  boat  bound  down  the  Missouri.  The  others  were  re 
tained  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  untold  anxiety  was  felt  for 
their  safety. 

When  this  intelligence  reached  Lawrence,  G.  W.  Hutchinson, 
one  of  the  merchants  whose  wagons  had  been  taken,  and  Mr. 
Sutherland,  the  mail-carrier  between  Lawrence  and  Leavenworth, 
whose  hack  and  driver  were  of  the  same  number,  were  despatched  to 
Woodson,  also  to  Col.  Cook,  to  inform  them  of  the  facts.  Col. 
Cook  could  not  move  with  his  troops  to  Leavenworth  without 
orders  from  Woodson.  He  advised  these  gentlemen  to  see  Wood- 
son.  They  went  to  Lecompton,  and  while  in  his  office  were  taken 
prisoners  by  his  brutal  "  militia,"  he  offering  no  word  of  protest. 
When  Col.  Cook  heard  of  this  unprecedented  outrage,  he  sent 
again  and  again  to  Woodson,  demanding  their  release.  His  inva 
riable  reply  was,  "  They  were  taken  as  spies,  and  we  hold  them 
as  prisoners  of  war." 

The  same  day  eighty  of  the  troops  went  to  Lawrence  under 
command  of  Deputy  Marshal  Newsem,  who  had  rendered  himself 
conspicuous  by  breaking  open  and  searching  the  trunks  of  five 
free-state  men  on  the  road  a  few  days  before.  He  had  a  writ  of 
replevin  for  a  horse,  and  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus  for  a  man  who 
had  been  detained  at  Lawrence  over  night  as  a  spy,  but  who  had 
been  released  the  same  morning.  He  read  his  writ,  signed  by 
John  P.  Wood,  Judge  of  Probate  for  Douglas  County.  It  was 
directed  to  "  James  H.  Lane,"  "  the  Safety  Committee,"  and  the 
people  of  "  Lawrence  generally."  There  was  too  large  a  share 
of  the  ridiculous  in  this  parade  of  troops  on  so  trivial  a  matter 
to  occasion  any  show  of  dignity  among  the  people  at  Lawrence. 
So  the  free-state  boys  laughed  with  the  soldiers,  and  made  sport 
of  the  simpleton  who  held  the  writ.  When  they  left,  the  boys 
gave  three  cheers  for  the  troops,  and  a  groan  for  the  official. 

On  the  thirtieth,  Saturday  morning,  about  six  o'clock,  Fred 
eric  Brown,  son  of  Capt.  John  Brown,  walking  on  the  road  near 
his  house,  not  far  from  Osawattomie,  was  shot  by  two  scouts  of 
the  invaders.  Two  hours  later,  a  force  of  three  hundred  men 
under  Gen.  Reed  attacked  Osawattomie.  Seeing  the  vast  supe- 


332  KANSAS. 

riority  of  numbers,  Capt.  Brown  retreated  with  the  small  free- 
state  party  under  his  command,  between  thirty  and  forty  men,  to 
the  timber  on  the  river.  The  battle  lasted  several  hours,  until 
the  ammunition  of  the  little  party  gave  out.  They  were  then 
ordered  to  retreat  to  the  river.  The  Missourians  charged  upon 
them  with  horses,  and,  being  wholly  undisciplined,  came  up  in 
crowds,  so  that  the  sure  aim  of  the  little  band  in  the  woods 
thinned  their  ranks.  The  free-state  party  lost  two  men  killed  in 
the  battle ;  one  man  murdered  afterwards.  As  nearly  as  could 
be  estimated,  the  enemy  lost  thirty-one  killed,  and  thirty-two 
wounded.  Three  wagon  loads  of  dead  and  wounded  were  taken 
from  Osawattomie.  After  the  battle  the  ruffians  burned  the  town, 
between  twenty  and  thirty  houses  and  stores,  and  pilfered  letters 
from  the  post-office,  etc.  They  burned,  also,  the  house  of  "  Ottawa 
Jones,"  who  had  a  fine  residence  half  way  between  Lawrence  and 
Osawattomie.  This  news  being  received  at  Lawrence,  Gen.  Lane 
with  a  strong  force  went  out  to  meet  Reid's  army.  He  came 
near  them  at  Ball  Creek,  and  camped  for  a  battle  at  sunrise  on 
the  morrow.  In  the  night  Reid's  army  retreated,  and  Gen.  Lane 
drove  them  to  Missouri. 

This  portion  of  the  invaders  had  intended  to  march  nearer  Law 
rence,  and  attack  it  upon  one  side,  expecting  to  be  reinforced  by 
other  parties  gathered  at  Lecompton. 

On  the  thirty-first,  Sunday,  p.  M.,  a  woman,  residing  a  mile 
distant  from  the  camp,  came  and  reported  to  Col.  Cook  that 
some  ruffians  from  Lecompton  had  gathered  at  her  house,  with 
threats  to  destroy  it.  He  sent  four  soldiers  back  with  her  to 
guard  it.  After  their  arrival  the  party  left.  Mrs.  H.  gathered 
together  some  of  her  goods,  and  three  small  wagon  loads  were 
brought  to  her  mother's  near  the  camp.  Some  of  the  soldiers 
returned  with  the  wagons.  Soon  after  they  started  with  the  last 
load,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  these  Missourians,  under  the 
lead  of  Dr.  Stringfellow,  appeared,  and  set  the  house  on  fire. 
They  at  first  took  the  gun  from  the  one  soldier  then  there,  but 
soon  returned  it.  A  few  of  them  surrounded  the  wagon,  and 
"  ordered  a  surrender."  But  the  woman  with  her  escort  came 
on  to  the  camp.  Soon  the  dense  smoke  arose  over  the  hill,  and 


NEW   INVASION  —  RELEASE   OF  STATE   PRISONERS.    333 

the  Missourians  came  up  in  sight  of  the  camp,  and  formed  in  line 
of  battle  upon  a  very  high  point  only  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant. 
It  looked  like  a  defiance  to  the  troops.  Col.  Cook  with  his  offi 
cers  stood  by 'his  tent,  with  a  spy -glass,  watching  them.  He  was 
evidently  surprised  at  the  boldness  of  the  movement. 

Soon  the  bugle  sounded  for  "  boots  and  saddles,"  and  the  sol 
diers,  with  loud  shouts,  and  on  a  full  run,  started  for  the  horses. 
They  thought  they  were  to  have  the  opportunity  of  driving  off 
the  Missourians.  The  colonel,  being  a  Southerner,  was  annoyed  by 
the  shouting,  and  commanded  them  to  be  quiet.  The  Missourians 
soon  left  the  hill,  and  the  soldiers  had  their  regular  Sunday  drill. 

In  a  little  time  two  more  houses,  a  short  distance  away,  were 
fired.  Before  sundown  Deputy  Marshal  Cramer  rode  up  to  the 
officers'  tent  to  say,  that  "  the  houses  were  set  on  fire  by  free-state 
men."  Col.  Cook  quite  indignantly  replied,  "  I  saw  the  smoke  of 
the  fire,  as  your  men  rode  from  it  on  to  the  hill." 

The  evening  of  the  next  day,  five  other  houses  of  the  settlers 
were  burned,  and  another,  around  which  the  mob  gathered,  was 
saved  by  the  lady  of  the  house  showing  a  paper  which  Marshal 
Donaldson  had  given  them  as  a  means  of  protection  during  the 
spring  invasion.  Most  of  the  fires  were  seen  at  the  camp.  Some 
of  the  houses  had  been  vacated,  the  families  having  gone  to  Law 
rence  for  safety.  The  occupants  of  others  were  driven  from  their 
homes  at  midnight,  only  escaping  with  their  lives.  One  woman, 
with  a  number  of  young  children,  whose  husband  could  not 
remain  with  his  family  in  safety,  saved  a  few  things  by  carrying 
them  into  the  woods.  The  next  day  the  house  near  the  camp  was 
full  of  these  homeless  ones.  There  were  families  without  their 
natural  protectors,  because  they  had  been  previously  driven  from 
their  homes.  There  were  men,  whose  families  had  been  removed 
to  Lawrence  a  few  days  before,  while  they  had  remained  at  their 
houses  attempting  to  get  their  goods  ready  to  move,  when  they 
were  obliged  to  fly.  No  free-state  men  could  now  travel  between 
Lawrence  and  Lecompton.  The  man  who  carried  meat  to  the 
camp  daily  was  taken  prisoner  by  Stringfellow  and  his  scouting 
party,  and  retained  in  camp  over  night,  notwithstanding  he 
showed  his  contract  with  the  quarter-master. 


334  KANSAS. 

2d.  —  "  Gen.  Strickler,"  of  the  territorial  militia,  with  Cramer, 
called  on  Col.  Cook.  Cramer  introduced  the  general.  Col. 
Cook  seemed  to  think  it  militated  against  his  own  dignity  some 
what  to  be  "ranked"  by  such  a  stripling,  and  he  replied,  "  Gen 
eral?"  Cramer  said,  "Yes,"  and  the  usual  courtesies  passed  be 
tween  them.  Then  Cramer  said,  "We  want  you  to  hold  yourself 
in  readiness  to  act  when  called  upon ;  for  there  may  a  contin 
gency  arise  when  we  shall  need  you."  He  also  added  that  "  Lane 
was  cavorting  around  the  territory." 

Mrs.  Jenkins,  with  a  military  escort,  went  to  Lawrence  on  the 
second,  for  provisions  for  the  prisoners.  Upon  her  return,  the 
next  day,  she  passed  through  the  most  of  the  "  territorial 
militia,"  about  six  miles  from  Lawrence.  They  were  very  free 
with  their  threats  of  the  destruction  of  Lawrence ;  and  swore  it 
would  be  accomplished  that  night.  Mrs.  Jenkins  met  several 
free-state  men,  flying  as  fast  as  their  horses  would  carry  them,  to 
notify  Lawrence  of  the  approach  of  the  invaders.  One  of  their 
scouts  was  sitting  quietly  in  a  ravine,  eating  a  watermelon,  before 
he  noticed  this  force  almost  upon  him.  Quickly  mounting  his  horse, 
he  sped  towards  Lawrence,  while  four  of  the  invaders  pursued 
him,  continually  firing.  Three  of  the  pursuers  soon  relinquished 
the  chase,  and  he  was  able  to  outstrip  the  speed  of  the  fourth. 

Dr.  Stringfellow  was  in  bad  repute  with  the  other  officers,  as 
well  as  with  the  men.  Many  of  them  left  when  they  found  that 
house-burning  was  to  be  the  principal  work.  One  or  two  of  the 
captains,  on  learning  the  true  state  of  things,  immediately  left 
Lecompton,  returning  over  the  river. 

On  the  fourth,  Marshal  Donaldson,  and  his  deputies,  Cramer 
and  Newsem,  took  one  hundred  and  sixty  of  the  troops  to  Law 
rence  to  arrest  Lane,  Walker,  Grover,  and  others.  They  carne 
back  wholly  unsuccessful.  It  seemed  to  be  the  impression  at 
Lawrence  that  Lane  was  not  a  resident  there,  and  the  particular 
location  of  the  house  or  boarding-place  of  others  inquired  for 
was  not  very  clearly  defined  in  the  minds  of  those  questioned. 

The  same  day  three  men  from  Leavenworth,  who  had  never 
taken  any  part  in  the  free-state  cause,  attempted  to  go  from  Leav 
enworth  to  Lawrence.  They  were  shot  by  the  ruffians.  Two 


NEW   INVASION  —  RELEASE   OF   PRISONERS.  335 

were  killed,  and  the  other  was  supposed  to  be  dead  by  the  cruel 
men.  With  his  head  awfully  mangled,  by  the  aid  of  a  Delaware 
Indian,  he  reached  Lawrence.  Sicoxie,  chief  of  the  Delawares, 
on  the  4th,  sent  to  the  camp  for  troops  to  protect  them  from  the 
continual  robberies  and  depredations  of  the  marauders.  Captain 
Sackett,  with  his  company,  was  sent  out.  The  bodies  of  the  two 
murdered  men  were  buried  by  them. 

On  the  same  day  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  were  ordered  to 
cross  the  Kansas  river,  and  march  upon  the  north  side  as  far  as 
Lecompton.  They  arrived  at  this  point  about  dark.  Colonel 
Harvey  so  arranged  his  men  that  it  would  have  been  impos 
sible  for  a  much  larger  force  than  his  to  retreat  past  them.  They 
lay  all  night  upon  their  arms,  in  one  of  the  most  violent  storms 
of  the  season,  hungry  and  supperless.  The  confusion,  the  next 
morning,  in  Lecompton,  was  unprecedented  even  there.  Many 
of  the  Missourians,  who  had  come  to  quell  "  outrages  and  dis 
turbances  by  the  abolitionists  "  upon  the  pro-slavery  settlers,  find 
ing  these  acts  perpetrated  by  the  "  law-and-order  "  party,  were 
disgusted  and  sick  of  "  the  wars."  Wishing  to  go  home  to  Mis 
souri,  they  found  their  retreat  cut  off.  About  four  o'clock,  p.  M., 
Gen.  Lane  had  taken  possession  of  the  hill  overlooking  Lecomp 
ton,  and  the  foundation  of  the  capitol,  which  was  used  by  the 
enemy  as  a  fortress.  He  had  planted  two  pieces  of  artillery, 
before  any  intimation  had  been  given  in  Lecompton  of  the  approach 
of  "  Lane's  army." 

Three  messengers  from  Lecompton,  to  Col.  Cook,  followed  each 
other  in  quick  succession.  They  reported  one  thousand  men  about 
to  attack  Lecompton.  There  was  soon  an  unusual  stir  in  the  camp. 
The  different  bugles  sounded,  and,  in  just  thirty -five  minutes  after, 
the  troops  began  to  move  towards  Lecompton  ;  not  in  a  body,  but 
at  the  earliest  moment  each  company  was  ready.  The  artillery 
went  out,  mingling  its  deafening  sound  of  heavy  metal  with  that 
of  iron  hoofs,  and  the  clanking  of  the  sabres  of  their  riders. 

Mr.  Branscomb  and  Capt.  Cline  had  been  deputed  by  Gen. 
Lane  to  go  into  Lecompton  and  make  a  demand  of  all  prisoners 
there.  They  rode  in,  bearing  a  flag  of  truce,  and  halted  before 
the  fort.  The  following  conversation  was  held  : 


336 


KANSAS. 


Mr.  Branscomb:    "Who   has   command   of   the   forces   here 

assembled  ?  " 

Several  voices  :   "  General  Richardson." 

"  Can  I  see  General  Richardson?" 

Here  General  Richardson  stepped  forward  and  bowed. 

"  General  Richardson,  are  you  in  command  of  the  forces  here 
assembled  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  as  I  am." 

An  individual  here  stepped  forward,  and  inquired  as  follows  : 

"  General  Richardson,  do  you  still  retain  the  command?  " 

"  No,  I  suppose  not ;  I  resigned  this  morning,"  was  the  reply. 

This  individual  then  turned  to  Messrs.  Branscomb  and  Cline, 
and  said,  "  I  am  in  command  of  the  forces  here  assembled,  and 
am  ready  to  receive  any  proposition." 

Mr.  Branscomb  :   "  Who  are  you,  sir?  " 

Individual :   "  I  am  General  Marshall." 

"  I  am  directed  by  General  Lane,  commander  of  the  free-state 
forces  of  Kansas,  to  demand  of  you  the  unconditional  and  imme 
diate  release  of  all  the  free-state  prisoners  now  in  Lecompton." 

General  Marshall :  "  We  wish  to  make  no  compromises  with 
General  Lane,  only  that  he  shall  treat  our  prisoners  as  kindly  and 
courteously  as  we  treat  his." 

"  Do  I  understand  you  to  refuse  to  surrender  the  prisoners 
demanded  ?  " 

"  Such  is  the  understanding." 

Messrs.  Branscomb  and  Cline  were  about  to  return  to  General 
Lane's  lines,  when  General  Marshall  requested  them  to  wait  a  few 
minutes.  They  did  so.  After  a  private  consultation  with  some 
others,  the  general  returned,  and  gave  Mr.  Branscomb  the  strange 
intelligence  that  all  the  prisoners  demanded  had  been  released 
that  morning,  and  that  provision  had  been  made  to  obtain  an 
escort  of  United  States  dragoons  to  attend  them  to  Lawrence  the 
next  day.  He  then  told  him  that  he  made  a  demand  on  General 
Lane  for  all  the  pro-slavery  prisoners  which  had  been  taken,  arid 
asked  Mr.  Branscomb  to  state  the  demand.  This  ended  the  inter 
view. 

Colonel  Cook  reached  Lane's  lines  about  the  time  the  messen- 


NEW  INVASION  —  RELEASE   OF   PRISONERS.  337 

gers  to  Lecompton  got  back.  Colonel  Cook  said  to  General  Lane 
and  his  staff,  "  Gentlemen,  you  have  made  a  great  mistake  in 
coming  here  to-day.  The  territorial  militia  was  dismissed  this 
morning;  some  of  them  have  left,  some  are  leaving  now,  and  the 
rest  will  leave  and  go  to  their  homes  as  soon  as  they  can."  Mr. 
Parrotf,  of  Leavemvorth  city,  who  was  twice  sent  down  the  river 
by  the  ruffians,  replied  to  him  as  follows:  "  Colonel  Cook,  when 
we  send  a  man,  or  two  men,  or  a  dozen  men,  to  speak  with  the 
territorial  authorities,  they  are  arrested  and  held  like  felons. 
How,  then,  are  we  to  know  what  is  going  on  in  Lecompton? 
Why,  we  have  to  come  here  with  an  army  to  find  out  what  is 
going  on.  How  else  could  we  know?  "  To  this,  Col.  Cook  made 
no  reply. 

The  prisoners  came  over  to  the  camp  at  evening,  and,  under 
military  escort,  went  to  Lawrence  the  next  day.  Gen.  Richard 
son,  of  the  "  Kansas  militia,"  made  a  visit  in  Lawrence.  He  was 
received  kindly  by  General  Lane,  who  escorted  him  on  his  way  to 
Franklin.  He  stated  "  he  was  on  his  way  to  disperse  the  Missou- 
rians  who  were  coming  into  the  territory." 

A  lady  from  Leavenworth,  about  this  time,  having  a  brother  at 
L  iwrence,  succeeded  in  getting  through  to  the  latter  place.  She 
Walked  the  entire  distance,  thirty-five  miles,  and,  by  prudence, 
eluded  the  watchfulness  of  the  enemy. 

For  some  weeks  mob-law  had  raged  at  Leavenworth.  Hordes 
of  the  vilest  of  the  Missouriaus  were  continually  crossing  the  river 
into  the  city.  On  the  first  of  September  a  municipal  election  was 
to  be  held.  Capt.  Emory,  the  mail  agent,  at  the  head  of  one 
hundred  ruffians,  drove  from  the  city  all  free-state  men,  declaring 
that  "  all  who  did  not  leave  should  be  killed." 

They  attacked  the  house  of  William  Phillips,  a  lawyer  of 
Leavenworth.  Knowing  that  it  was  their  intention  to  murder 
him,  he  told  them  "he  should  defend  his  home;"  and,  as  they 
rushed  upon  him,  he  drew  his  revolver  and  killed  two  of  them, 
when  he  was  pierced  with  a  dozen  bullets,  and  died  instantly. 
The  brother  of  Mr.  Phillips  had  his  arm  badly  shattered.  Some 
buildings  owned  by  Mr.  P.  were  burned ;  also  some  others.  On 
the  Saturday  before,  and  during  the  night,  also,  the  excitement 
29 


KANSAS. 

was  intense.  The  groceries  were  continually  frequented,  and  the 
firing  of  guns  was  incessant.  All  of  Sunday  night  companies  of 
thirty  or  forty  men  went  over  the  whole  city,  crying,  at  the  top  of 
their  voices,  for  "  all  who  would  not  take  up  arms  to  enforce  the 
territorial  laws,  to  leave  the  territory  immediately,  or  suffer  the 
consequences." 

On  the  first  of  September,  about  fifty  of  the  inhabitants  were 
obliged,  by  Capt.  Emory  and  his  band,  to  take  passage  on  the 
Polar  Star  for  St.  Louis.  The  next  day  eight  hundred  men,  com 
manded  by  Capt.  Emory,  paraded  on  the  levee  in  front  of  the 
Emma.  Capt.  E.  ordered  the  captain  of  the  boat  not  to  leave 
the  landing  until  he  gave  directions.  Then,  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  were  men,  women,  and  children,  more  than  one  hun 
dred  in  number,  driven,  like  cattle,  from  their  homes,  to  satisfy 
yet  further  this  guilty  administration.  Men  of  property  were 
obliged  thus  to  leave  it  to  the  mercy  of  the  mob  ;  and,  in  some 
instances,  had  not  means  with  them  to  pay  their  passage  to  St. 
Louis.  The  goods  of  some  of  the  merchants,  together  with  ten 
thousand  dollars'  worth  in  the  warehouses,  for  traders  in  Lawrence, 
were  confiscated  by  the  ruffians.  In  many  instances  they  laid  aside 
their  shabby  and  soiled  garments,  and  were  loud  in  their  praise 
of  the  excellent  fits  they  found  among  the  clothing  designed  for 
merchants  in  Lawrence.  No  free-state  man  dared  venture  in 
the  streets  of  Leavenworth.  Many  fled  into  the  bushes  and 
escaped  to  the  fort.  Thirty  or  more  families  found  safety  there. 

When  the  fourteen  prisoners  at  Lccompton  were  released,  Rev. 
Mr.  Nute,  and  Mr.  Wilder,  about  whom  great  anxiety  had  been 
felt,  were  discovered  not  to  be  among  them.  Col.  Cook  provided 
Mr.  Whitman,  Mr.  Sutherland,  and  Mr.  Wilder,  father  of  young 
Wilder,  an  escort,  in  Sergeant  Cary,  to  go  to  Leavenworth  to 
attempt  their  release,  if  they  were  there.  Within  a  short  distance 
of  the  town,  after  passing  several  picket  guards,  they  were  taken 
prisoners  by  Capt.  Emory's  band.  After  a  little  consultation, 
the  leaders  concluded  it  was  advisable  to  release  Sergeant  Cary. 
Riding  post-haste,  he  reached  the  fort  and  stated  the  facts.  Soon 
there  was  a  bustle  among  the  soldiers,  and  two  hundred  of  them, 
marched  to  Leavenworth.  Two  hours  later,  they  returned,  bringing 


NEW  INVASION  —  RELEASE   OF   PRISONERS.  339 

in  Capt.  Emory's  band  of  thirty  horsemen,  with  the  three  gentle 
men  last  taken  prisoners  in  the  rear. 

Mr.  Nute  and  Mr.  Wilder  had  been  released  that  morning. 
They  had  been,  for  a  part  of  the  time,  imprisoned  in  a  seven-by- 
nine  stone  building  with  grated  windows.  There  was  not  an 
article  of  furniture  in  the  room. 

In  such  a  place,  without  ventilation,  with  thirteen  others,  they 
were  kept  one  day,  without  anything  to  eat  from  early  morning 
until  five  o'clock,  p.  M.  Then,  some  dry  bread  and  coffee  were 
brought  in.  The  prisoners  said  they  could  not  eat  without  going 
into  the  fresh  air ;  and,  on  being  taken  out  doors,  were  scarcely 
able  to  stand  from  faintness. 

Gov.  Geary  arrived  at  the  fort  on  the  morning  of  the  ninth.  He 
was  there  when  Sergeant  Gary  reported  his  seizure  by  the  ruffians. 
He  declared  that  peace  should  be  restored ;  that  every  one  who 
was  not  an  actual  settler  should  be  driven  out;  and  that  the  rights 
of  all  men  should  be  protected.  To  some  officials  under  govern 
ment,  with  whom  he  conversed  on  his  way  to  the  territory,  he 
stated,  as  the  urgent  necessity  for  this  peace,  "  the  impossibility  of 
carrying  Pennsylvania  for  Buchanan  without  it." 

Rev.  Mr.  Nute  and  friends  reached  Lawrence  on  the  evening  of 
the  10th.  On  the  6th  September,  Col.  Cook's  camp  moved  with 
in  a  half  mile  of  Lecompton.  On  the  eighth,  a  number  of  the 
citizens  of  Lawrence  came  up  to  attend  the  trial  of  the  state  pris 
oners.  No  officer  of  the  court  could  be  found ;  neither  judge, 
jury,  clerk  or  marshal.  The  next  day  they  appeared  in  Lecomp 
ton,  and  an  attempt  was  made  by  the  counsel  for  the  government, 
C.  H.  Grover,  to  postpone  the  trials  until  April,  alleging  that  the 
County  of  Douglas  was  in  a  state  of  insurrection,  caused  by  the 
introduction  of  large  bodies  of  armed  men,  whose  purpose  was  to 
resist  the  laws  of  the  territory ;  that  jurors  and  witnesses  were 
prevented  from  attending  court  thereby. 

Mr.  Branscomb  and  Mr.  Parrott,  counsel  for  the  prisoners, 
opposed  the  motion.  Mr.  B.  stated,  the  prisoners  had  been 
ready  for  trial  the  last  term.  They  were  ready  now,  and,  as  a 
right,  they  demanded  an  immediate  trial.  Although  no  sum 
monses  had  been  issued  to  jurors  or  witnesses,  there  were  jurors 


340  KANSAS. 

present  who  would  answer  to  their  names,  and  there  was  no 
evidence  before  the  court  of  such  insurrection  as  the  counsel  for 
the  government  had  stated,  etc. 

Mr.  G rover,  in  reply,  said,  "he  could  bring  any  amount  of  proof 
of  such  insurrection.  There  was  the  London  Times.  The  Lon 
don  Times  said  that  not  only  Kansas,  but  the  whole  country,  was 
in  a  state  of  insurrection." 

Judge  Lecompte  overruled  the  motion,  stating  that  there  was 
not  sufficient  evidence  before  the  court  of  such  a  state  of  insurrec 
tion  as  to  deter  witnesses  and  jurors  from  appearing. 

The  docket  was  then  taken  up.  The  first  case  called  was,  "  The 
Territory  of  Kansas  against  Charles  Robinson,  for  usurpation  of 
office."  The  same  reasons  for  continuance  of  this  case  were  brought 
up  by  Mr.  Grover.  Also  their  witness,  P.  Hutchinson,  who,  they 
said,  had  been  summoned,  was  not  present.  He  is  a  man  unknown 
to  the  prisoners,  their  counsel  or  friends  never  before  having  heard 
of  him. 

Judge  Lecompte  then  gave  his  decision.  He  would  continue 
the  case  on  the  ground  of  there  being  so  great  an  excitement  in 
the  country  as  to  prevent  a  fair  trial.  The  prisoner  was  admitted 
to  bail  in  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars. 

The  other  cases  were  then  called,  —  "  The  United  States  against 
Charles  Robinson  and  others,"  —  and  continued.  The  prisoners 
were  released  on  bail  of  five  thousand  dollars  each. 

Judge  Lecompte  accepted  the  bail  offered,  and  seemed  anxious 
to  get  the  cases  off  his  hands. 

John  Brown,  Jr.,  and  H.  II.  Williams,  who  had  never  been 
indicted,  were  also  released  on  one  thousand  dollars  bail. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  10th  September,  just  four  months  from 
the  day  my  husband  was  taken  prisoner,  and  nearly  four  months 
since  the  arrest  of  the  others,  the  tents  on  "  Traitor  Avenue  "  were 
struck.  Three  wagons  were  filled  with  the  furniture  and  valua 
bles  of  the  prisoners. 

While  all  were  getting  ready,  a  party  of  us  rode  into  Lecomp- 
ton.  It  is  a  little  town  down  in  the  ravines.  The  air  was  hot 
and  stifling,  and  we  wondered  any  one  should  locate  a  town  there, 
when  the  breezes  on  the  high  grounds  are  so  fre^h  and  invigor- 


NEW  INVASION  —  RELEASE   OF   PRISONERS.  341 

ating.  There  were  two  or  three  tents  still  standing,  the  remnant 
of  the  invaders'  camp.  Everything  was  quiet,  and  perfectly  dull. 
With  two  carriages  of  gentlemen,  which  came  from  Lawrence  in 
the  morning  to  attend  the  court,  the  ambulance,  and  two  others 
under  military  escort,  we  left  for  Lawrence.  Within  a  mile  of 
the  town,  the  "  Stubs  "  were  waiting  to  welcome  us.  Soon  after,  we 
were  met  by  Gen.  Lane  and  his  staff,  who  led  the  way  into  Massa 
chusetts-street,  where  crowds  of  people  had  gathered  to  greet  their 
long-absent  townsmen. 

My  husband  made  them  a  short  speech.  In  the  evening  the 
people  had  a  jubilee  of  rejoicing,  and  short  speeches  from  several 
of  the  prisoners.  The  arrival  of  Mr.  Nute  and  fellow-prisoners, 
the  same  evening,  added  not  a  little  to  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
hour. 

On  the  fourteenth  of  September  a  new  invasion  was  made  against 
Lawrence.  Gov.  Geary  was  notified  of  the  fact,  and  he  com 
manded  their  dispersion.  They  burned  several  houses,  and  the 
saw-mill  in  Franklin,  and  drove  off  two  hundred  head  of  horses 
and  cattle. 

A  part  of  the  same  force  passed  up  to  Lecompton  on  the  six 
teenth,  and  killed  David  Buffum,  a  reliable  free-state  map,  the  same 
who  brought  the  little  howitzer  into  Lawrence,  during  the  fall 
invasion,  by  singular  skill  and  bravery. 

Rumors  having  come  into  Lawrence  of  the  invaders  committing 
depredations  on  the  northern  part  of  the  territory,  by  the  advice 
of  Gov.  Geary's  friend,  a  few  men  were  sent  to  drive  them  out. 
On  their  way  back  to  Lawrence,  they  were  taken  prisoners  and 
carried  to  Lecompton,  where  they  have  since  been  retained.  The 
horses  of  free-state  men  are  being  taken  by  the  other  party,  under 
forms  of  law,  and  the  system  of  robbery  and  outrage  has  received 
no  check. 

Two  gentlemen,  new-comers  in  the  territory,  on  the  twenty- 
second  were  taken  from  the  stage,  as  they  were  passing  from  Law 
rence  to  Kansas  city,  and  one  is  still  missing. 

The  promised  peace  has  not  yet  come  to  Kansas.  Hopefully 
the  settlers  have  waited  for  it;  but  their  hope  in  the  present 
administration  has  turned  to  despair.  With  many  fears,  and 
29* 


342  KANSAS. 

many  sufferings  before  them  in  the  cold  months  coming,  they  still 
look  forward  to  a  day  of  deliverance  when  the  genial  breath 
of  spring  shall  have  melted  winter's  icy  bands,  and  the  new  reign 
of  peace  and  righteous  laws  takes  the  place  of  oppression  and 
tyranny. 


CHAPTER    XXIY. 

AN   APPEAL   TO    THE   AMERICAN   PEOPLE. 

Two  years  have  passed  since  the  territory  of  Kansas  was  thrown 
open  to  settlement.  Under  the  Squatter  Sovereignty  bill,  expect 
ing  to  be  protected,  settlers  came  from  the  far  East  and  North,  as 
well  as  from  the  more  Southern  and  Western  States.  They  had  a 
right  to  look  for  such  protection  to  the  President  of  these  United 
States  in  the  very  provisions  of  that  bill.  How  have  they  been 
protected  ?  Let  his  infamous  appointees  in  the  territory  —  the 
vile  tools  of  tyranny  —  answer  to  an  enlightened  public  sentiment. 
Let  freemen,  imprisoned  for  months  on  the  prairie,  under  the  burn 
ing  sun,  and  amid  drenching  rains,  for  no  crime  but  the  innate 
love  of  freedom,  tell  the  tale.  Let  the  booming  cannon  battering 
down  hotels,  and  printing-presses  thrown  into  the  Kansas  river, 
tell  afar  the  bloody  despotism  that  rules  our  land.  Let  the  bris 
tling  bayonets  of  the  United  States  army  tell  how  the  free  settlers 
have  been  outraged  and  plundered,  while  ruffian  bands  have  been 
protected  by  it,  under  Gov.  Shannon's  orders.  Let  the  loud  moan 
of  lone  men,  murdered  by  these  hordes  of  the  administration,  and 
the  bitter  wail  of  desolate  homes,  borne  on  every  gale,  tell  to  the 
world  the  blackness  of  the  demon  Slavery,  and  the  unmitigated 
villany  of  those  who  have  aided,  abetted,  and  connived  at  all 
these  atrocities  —  those  who  have  brought  disgrace  upon  our  coun 
try's  name,  and  clothed  their  own  in  darkness  so  dense,  that  no 
after  acts  of  a  lifetime  can  erase  the  stains  of  blood  and  guilt. 
While  the  ghost-like  forms  of  their  murdered  victims  flit  around 
their  nightly  pillows,  and  the  cry,  "  0,  God  !  I  am  murdered !  " 
comes  to  them  on  every  morning  breeze,  and  the  low  plaint  of  the 
insane  widow,  as  she  starts  and  listens  at  every  footstep,  saying, 


344  KANSAS. 

"  Is  it  my  husband  ?  "  as  he  comes  never  more,  "  0,  my  soul, 
corr:e  not  thou  into  their  secrets  !  " 

The  appointees  of  the  President  in  this  territory,  both  judicial 
find  executive,  have,  with  two  or  three  exceptions,  in  every  possi 
ble  way  aided  ihese  invasions  of  the  territory,  the  mobs,  the  mur 
ders,  the  downfall  of  freedom  by  fire  and  sword.  When  Gov. 
Eceder  acted  out  his  manliness,  and  refused  to  be  a  tool  to  carry 
out  the  nefarious  plans  of  the  administration,  he  was  dismissed  on 
a  charge  so  false  that  even  the  vile  minions  of  slavery  denounced 
the  President. 

This  dismissal  did  not  come,  however,  until  the  President  had 
urged  Gov.  lieeder  to  resign,  promising  him  an  appointment  upon 
a  foreign  mission.  Then  a  new  governor  was  appointed.  lie  de 
clined  the  appointment.  Then  another  was  found  mean  enough 
to  accept  the  appointment,  after  a  dismissal  of  the  former  govern 
or  under  such  circumstances,  and  the  refusal  to  accept  of  the  sec 
ond  appointee.  And  well  has  he  fulfilled  the  promise  of  mean 
ness,  hcartlessness,  and  perfect  servility  to  the  great  Moloch  of 
Slavery,  an  acceptance,  at  such  a  time,  warranted  us  to  expect. 
He  made  a  league  with  our  enemies  before  he  set  foot  in  the  ter 
ritory.  He  brought  them  against  Lawrence,  in  December,  1855, 
by  a  tissue  of  lies.  He  made  a  treaty  with  his  own  people,  when 
he  found  his  fiat  was  not  sufficient  to  annihilate  them.  When  he 
feared  his  own  life  was  in  danger,  he  g;;ve  the  people  of  Lawrence 
a  ri«iht  to  protect  themselves,  and  him.  In  May  a  new  horde  of 
blood  was  brought  against  Lawrence.  The  protection  of  this  in 
strument  of  the  slave  power  was  implored  again  and  again  ;  but 
the  last  conference  was  closed  by  his  demand  of  the  guns  being 
given  up,  because  one  hundred  South  Carolinians,  just  arrived  in 
the  territory,  would  not  be  satisfied  without,  and  the  hotel  must  be 
destroyed  for  the  same  laudable  reason.  Magnanimous  governor  ! 
What  laurels  will  crown  his  brow,  as  his  name  goes  down  to  pos 
terity  ;  and  how  the  closing  remark  of  that  conference  will  add 
lustre  to  them  ! 

This  brave  champion  for  slavery  has  dared  to  tell  lone  women 
on  the  Kansas  prairies  he  would  "cut  their  d — d  hearts  out!" 
He  has  given  passes  to  a  few  men  travelling  in  the  territory,  show- 


AN   APPEAL  TO   THE   AMERICAN   PEOPLE.  345 

ing  his  connection  with  the  murders  and  outrages  daily  committed. 
He  has  at  all  times,  when  outrages  have  been  committed  by  his 
accomplices,  and  he  feared  the  just  wrath  of  the  people,  protected 
them  by  United  States  troops.  He  has,  when  fearing  an  attack 
upon  Lecompton,  been  seen  entering  the  scow  to  cross  the  river 
to  save  himself,  and,  under  the  protection  of  Major  Sedgwick,  has 
made  his  second  visit  to  the  people  of  Lawrence,  and  made 
another  treaty  with  them.  He  has  asked  for  an  escort  to  get  him 
out  of  the  country.  But  the  President,  at  last,  seeing  the  Dem 
ocratic  party  in  danger,  has  numbered  the  days  of  the  govern 
or.  Let  "  de  rnortaibus  nisi  bonum  "  be  our  motto.  Judge  Le- 
compte  was  particularly  qualified  to  be  the  chief  justice  in  Kansas, 
by  his  want  of  legal  knowledge,  and  lack  of  intellectual  ability. 
His  particular  forte  in  packing  juries,  and  instructing  grand  jurors 
to  indict  freedom-loving  citizens  for  high  treason,  as  well  as  hotels 
and  printing-presses  as  nuisances,  has  probably  fulfilled  the  Presi 
dent's  expectations  in  regard  to  him,  as  well  as  made  him  a  worthy 
fellow-worker  with  the  decapitated  governor.  Another  of  the  judges 
declared  that  he  would  leave  the  bench  to  assist  in  arresting  per 
sons  who  said  they  would  pay  no  regard  to  the  territorial  laws. 
Such  has  been  the  partisan  character  of  all  these  appointees. 
When  Congress  was  memorialized  as  to  these  grievances  of  the 
people,  and  a  plain  statement  was  laid  before  the  President  of  the 
invasion  of  March  thirtieth,  he  signified  his  alliance  with  the  ruffi 
ans  by  removing  Gov.  Reeder.  During  the  siege  of  Lawrence,  in 
which  Gov.  Shannon  had  for  his  counsellors  men  from  Westport 
and  Independence,  when  Clark,  the  Indian  agent,  in  a  most  wan 
ton  manner,  murdered  an  unarmed  man,  Judges  Lecompte,  Elmore, 
Johnson,  Cato,  and  Burrill,  being  of  the  same  party,  as  they  left 
Lecompton,  on  their  way  to  head-quarters  on  the  Wakarusa,  the 
President  was  silent.  He  offered  no  protection  to  the  people  of 
Lawrence.  He  has  done  nothing  since  towards  the  removal  of  the 
murderer.  When,  however,  a  new  invasion  being  in  preparation, 
word  was  sent  to  him,  he  suddenly  found  that  some  things  in  Kan 
sas  required  his  interposition.  His  special  message  was  crowded 
upon  the  House,  and  his  proclamation  soon  followed.  Did  he 
speak  of  the  murder  by  his  official  ?  Not  one  word.  Did  he 


346  KANSAS. 

reprove  the  governor  —  the  very  man  after  his  own  heart  in  guilty 
•weakness  —  for  his  unparalleled  course  of  oppression  ?  0,  no  ! 
He  told  the  peaceable  settlers  in  Kansas,  who  had  asked  his  pro 
tection,  that  he  would  "  enforce  the  laws  "  of  the  Legislature, 
elected  by  Missourians,  "  with  the  army  and  navy  of  the  United 
States."  He,  moreover,  intimated  very  strongly  that  treason  had 
been  or  would  be  committed. 

Again  and  again  irruptions  were  made  into  the  territory.  The 
ballot-boxes  were  taken  by  force  ;  and  on  the  seventeenth  of  Jan 
uary  another  murder,  so  terrible  in  all  its  barbarities  that  the 
mind  shudders  at  the  thought,  was  committed  in  the  territory. 
The  people,  oppressed  by  cold  unprecedented,  and  many  of  them 
suffering  for  the  actual  wants  of  life,  were  harassed  hourly  by 
fears  of  the  assassin.  Yet  the  President  was  dumb.  Spring 
came,  and  earth  and  sky  rejoiced  with  mutual  gladness  in  the 
balmy  airs  and  up-springing  verdure.  Business  revived,  and  the 
people  hoped  in  some  measure  to  retrieve  their  losses  of  the  last 
fall's  invasion  ;  but  the  demon  Slavery  was  yet  insatiate.  Armed 
bands  from  Missouri,  South  Carolina,  and  Alabama,  poured  into 
the  territory.  They  openly  proclaimed  they  came  to  "  fight  and 
to  vote,  and  would  return  to  their  homes."  These  things  were 
known  to  the  country.  Was  the  President  one  of  those  who, 
"having  eyes,  see  riot,  and  ears,  hear  not"?  They  came,  and 
were  enrolled  as  the  militia  of  the  territory  —  men  so  degraded, 
so  debauched,  that  one  of  their  officers  in  camp  said  "  they 
never  had  had  so  good  a  home  as  that  before."  They  wore 
the  proper  instruments  to  do  the  work  desired  by  the  administra 
tion  —  sacking  towns,  robbing  and  murdering  innocent  people  ; 
and  this  they  did  under  the  orders  of  the  United  States  Mnrb'u.il. 
The  way,  they  thought,  was  open  for  a  general  extermination  of 
free-state  people,  because,  by  the  orders  of  Judge  Lecornpte,  a 
few  of  the  leaders  had  been  thrown  into  prison,  and  others 
driven  off. 

Lawrence  was  destroyed.  Osawattomie  was  sacked.  Guer 
illa  bands  blockaded  the  highways,  and  murdered  peaceable  citi 
zens.  Dii  the  President  do  anything?  When  by  a  word  he 
could  have  given  Kansas  the  long-sought-for  peace,  he  said  it  not. 


AN   APPEAL   TO    THE   AMERICAN   PEOPLE.  347 

The  White  House  rose  between  him  and  the  suffering  dwellers  in 
Kansas.  He  had  been  struck  with  official  blindness,  and  saw  not 
how,  when  he  had  been  their  willing  agent,  their  pliant  tool,  the 
southern  party  would  cast  him  off  as  a  worthless  thing.  He  had 
gone  too  low;  he  had  crouched  too  humbly;  he  could  not  be 
trusted.  So  they  gave  him  a  complimentary  vote  when  he  came 
before  that  Cincinnati  Convention,  in  the  words  of  a  Massachusetts 
senator,  "  with  the  lurid  light  of  the  sacked  and  burning  dwellings 
of  Kansas  flashing  on  his  brazen  brow,  and  with  the  blood  of  the 
people  of  Kansas  dripping  from  his  hands."  When  our  people 
attempted  to  right  their  wrongs  by  assembling  to  memorialize 
Congress,  an  armed  body  of  United  States  troops  rushed  in  upon 
them,  and  commanded  their  dispersion.  This  act,  on  the  Fourth 
of  July,  1856,  makes  the  third  act  of  this  kind  chronicled  in 
history.  While  such  things  are  being  sanctioned  in  Kansas,  the 
Missouri  river  is  infested  by  pirates,  and  closed  to  peaceable  citi 
zens.  The  President  still  looks  on  unmoved,  and  permits  outrages 
which  long  ago  would  have  been  made  the  pretext  for  a  bloody 
war,  had  one  tenth  part  of  the  wrongs  been  committed  by  a 
foreign  power. 

We  have  fallen  upon  the  evil  times,  in  our  country's  history, 
when  it  is  treason  to  think,  to  speak  a  word  against  the  evil  of 
slavery,  or  in  favor  of  free  labor.  In  Kansas,  prisons  or  instant 
death  by  barbarians  are  the  reward  ;  and  in  the  Senate,  wielders 
of  bludgeons  are  honored  by  the  state  which  has  sent  ruffians  to 
desolate  Kansas.  But  in  this  reign  of  misrule  the  President  and 
his  advisers  have  failed  to  note  the  true  effect  of  such  oppression. 
The  fires  of  liberty  have  been  rekindled  in  the  hearts  of  our 
people,  and  burn  in  yet  brighter  frame  under  midnight  skies 
illumined  by  their  own  burning  dwellings.  The  sight  of  lawless, 
ruthless  invaders,  acting  under  the  United  States  government, 
has  filled  them  with  that  "  deep,  dark,  sullen,  teeth-clenched 
silence,  bespeaking  their  hatred  of  tyranny,  which  armed  a  Wil 
liam  Tell  and  Charlotte  Corday."  The  best,  the  boldest  utterance 
of  man's  spirit  for  freedom  will  not  be  withheld.  The  adminis 
tration,  with  the  most  insane  malignity,  has  prepared  the  way  for 
a  civil  war,  and  the  extermination  of  freemen  in  Kansas.  With 


348  KANSAS. 

untiring  malice,  it  has  endeavored  to  effect  this  by  the  aid  of  a 
corrupt  judiciary,  packed  juries,  and  reckless  officials.  In  viola 
tion  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  no  regard  was  paid 
to  the  sacred  rights  of  freemen  in  their  persons  and  property. 
Against  the  known  sentiment  and  conviction  of  half  the  nation 
these  deeds  of  infamy  have  been  plotted,  and  have  been  diligently 
carried  on.  That  a  people  are  down-trodden  is  not  evidence  that 
they  are  subdued.  The  crushed  energies  are  gathering  strength  ; 
and,  like  a  strong  man  resting  from  the  heats  and  toils  of  the 
day,  the  people  of  Kansas  will  arise  to  do  battle  for  liberty ;  and, 
when  their  mighty  shouts  for  freedom  shall  ascend  over  her  hills 
and  prairies,  slavery  will  shrink  back  abashed.  Life,  without 
liberty,  is  valueless,  and  there  are  times  which  demand  the  noble 
sacrifice  of  life.  The  people  of  Kansas  are  in  the  midst  of  such 
times ;  and  amid  discomfiture  and  defeat  men  will  be  found  who 
for  the  right  will  stand  with  sterner  purpose  and  bolder  front. 
Kansas  will  never  be  surrendered  to  the  slave  power.  God  has 
willed  it !  Lawrence,  the  city  where  the  plunderer  feasted  at  the 
hospitable  table,  and,  Judas-like,  went  out  to  betray  it,  will  come 
forth  from  its  early  burial  clothed  with  yet  more  exceeding 
beauty.  Out  of  its  charred  and  blood-stained  ruins,  where  the 
flag  of  rapine  floated,  will  spring  the  high  walls  and  strong  para 
pets  of  freedom.  The  sad  tragedies  in  Kansas  will  be  avenged, 
when  freedom  of  speech,  of  the  press,  and  of  the  person,  are 
made  sure  by  the  downfall  of  those  now  in  power,  and  when  the 
song  of  the  reaper  is  heard  again  over  our  prairies,  and,  instead 
of  the  clashing  of  arms,  we  see  the  gleam  of  the  ploughshare  in 
her  peaceful  valleys.  Men  of  the  North,  shall  the  brave  hearts 
in  Kansas  struggle  alone  ?* 


APPENDIX. 


MESSAGE  OF  GOVERNOR  ROBINSON,  OF  KANSAS,  TO  THE  NEW 
LEGISLATURE. 

Fellow-Citizens  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  : 

HAVING  been  chosen  by  the  people  to  occupy  the  executive  chair  of  the 
new  State  of  Kansas,  it  becomes  my  duty,  under  the  constitution,  to  com 
municate  to  the  General  Assembly  the  condition  of  the  affairs  of  the  state, 
and  recommend  such  measures  as  I  shall  deem  expedient  for  their  action. 
While  gratitude  to  the  people  for  the  confidence  their  suffrages  evinced,  and 
for  the  honor  bestowed,  wilt  induce  me  to  enlist  all  my  energies  in  their 
service,  inexperience  in  public  life,  and  a  lack  of  ability  and  information, 
will  cause  me  to  speak  with  diffidence  upon  the  various  subjects  to  which 
your  attention  will  be  invited. 

The  organization  of  a  new  government  is  always  attended  with  more  or 
less  difficulty,  and  should,  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances,  enlist 
the  learning,  judgment  and  prudence,  of  the  wisest  men  in  all  its  depart 
ments  ;  the  most  skilful  workmanship  is  requisite,  that  each  part  of  the 
complicated  machinery  may  be  adapted  to  its  fellow,  and  that  a  harmoni 
ous  whole,  without  jar  or  blemish,  may  be  the  result.  In  Kansas,  espe 
cially,  is  this  a  most  delicate  and  difficult  task.  Our  citizens  are  from 
every  state  in  the  Union,  and  from  nearly  every  country  on  the  globe,  and 
their  institutions,  religion,  education,  habits  and  tastes,  are  as  various  as 
their  origin.  Also  in  our  midst  are  several  independent  nations,  and  on 
our  borders,  both  west  and  east,  are  outside  invaders. 

In  our  mutual  endeavors  to  set  in  motion  a  state  government,  we  have  a 
common  chart  for  our  guide,  the  Constitution.  The  duties  of  the  General 
Assembly,  as  designated  by  this  instrument,  are  : 

To  provide  for  the  Encouragement  of  Education  and  Religion  ; 
The  Registration  of  Electors  ; 
To  provide  for  the  Returns  of  Elections  ; 
30 


350  KANSAS. 

For  the  Election  of  Officers  ; 

For  the  Filling  of  Vacancies  ; 

For  the  Number  of  Senators  and  Representatives  ; 

For  Apportionment ; 

Against  Special  Legislation  ; 

For  Publication  of  Laws  ; 

For  Taking  the  Census  ; 

For  Salaries  of  Officers  ; 

For  Surveyor  General,  State  ^Geologist,  and  Superintendent  of  Common 
Schools  ; 

For  Judicial  Districts  and  Jurisdiction  of  Courts  ; 

For  Publication  of  Decisions  of  Supreme  Court  ; 

For  Duties  of  Clerk  and  Reporter  of  Supreme  Court  ; 

For  School  Fund,  University,  Normal  Schools,  etc.  ; 

For  State  Asylums  for  Blind,  Deaf,  Dumb,  Insane,  Idiots,  and  the  Poor  ; 

For  Houses  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Offenders  ; 

For  State  General  Hospital  ; 

For  Seat  of  Government  and  State  House  ; 

For  Militia  ; 

For  Finance  and  Taxation  ; 

For  Counties,  County,  City  and  Town  Officers  ; 

For  Commissioners  to  arrange  Rules  of  Practice  in  the  Courts  of  Record  ; 

For  Bureau  of  Statistics  and  Encouragement  of  Agriculture  ; 

To  secure  the  separateffroperty  and  Custody  of  Children  to  Wife  ; 

For  Election  of  two  United  States  Senators  ; 

For  Banks  and  Banking  ; 

For  Redemption  of  Certificates  of  Indebtedness  ;  and  for  Enforcement  of 
the  Sixth  Section  of  the  Bill  of  Rights. 

Also,  the  people,  by  a  separate  and  direct  vote,  have  instructed  the 
Assembly  to  provide  for  the  exclusion  of  free  negroes. 

Education  of  the  people,  common  school  education,  is  the  palladium  of 
our  liberties.  Without  this,  free  institutions  cannot  exist  ;  with  it,  tyranny 
and  oppression  must  disappear.  A  thorough  and  efficient  system  of  educa 
tion  is  a  better  and  cheaper  corrective  and  preventive  of  poverty,  degrada 
tion  and  crime,  than  the  poor-house,  house  of  refuge,  or  penitentiary.  This 
subject  will  not  fail  to  receive  its  full  share  of  your  attention.  That  the 
common  school  may  be  put  on  a  permanent  basis,  the  proceeds  of  the  school 
lands,  or  other  educational  income,  should  be  carefully  husbanded,  till  a 
fund  shall  accumulate  amply  sufficient  to  give  to  every  child  in  the  state  a 
liberal  common  school  education. 

Second  only  to  the  common  school  in  importance  are  the  University  and 
Normal  Schools.  For  these,  also,  the  constitution  suggests  that  you  provide 
at  an  early  day. 


APPENDIX.  351 

Of  the  public  charitable  institutions  named  in  the  constitution,  a  General 
State  Hospital  calls  most  urgently  for  consideration.  In  a  new  country, 
many  must  necessarily  suffer  from  sickness  and  poverty,  and,  in  the  present 
unsettled  condition  of  the  people,  it  is  eminently  proper  that  the  state  should 
provide  for  their  relief. 

The  subject  of  finances  and  taxation  is  one  of  primary  importance  in  every 
state,  and  particularly  in  a  new  one.  Onerous  taxes  and  large  indebtedness 
should  be  guarded  against  as  far  as  possible,  and  economy  without  niggard 
ly  parsimony  should  be  the  rule  of  action.  For  the  present  state  of  the 
finances  you  are  referred  to  the  report  of  the  executive  committee. 

Exposed  as  our  citizens  are  to  the  scalping-knife  of  the  savage  on  the 
west,  and  to  the  revolver  and  hatchet  of  the  assassin  on  the  east,  a  thorough 
and  early  organization  of  the  militia  is  urgently  called  for.  By  the  consti 
tution,  this  duty  devolves  upon  the  General  Assembly.  Measures  should  at 
once  be  taken  to  encourage  the  organization  of  volunteer  companies,  and  to 
procure  the  arms  to  which  the  state  is  entitled. 

The  disposition  of  the  public  lands  is  a  matter  for  serious  consideration. 
Under  existing  laws,  they  belong  to  the  general  government,  and  are  used 
as  a  source  of  revenue.  The  policy  of  such  a  use  is  at  least  questionable. 
The  amount  received  into  the  treasury  from  the  sale  of  public  lands  is 
inconsiderable,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  about  two  millions  of  dollars 
annually. 

This  sum,  distributed  among  the  states  where  the  lands  are  situated, 
would  aid  essentially  the  cause  of  education,  or  the  establishment  of  char 
itable  institutions,  but  it  is  entirely  unnecessary  in  the  already  overflowing 
treasury  of  the  general  government.  Even  as  a  matter  of  revenue,  the 
treasury  gains  nothing  by  selling  the  public  domain  to  the  people,  for  the 
principal  revenue  is  derived  from  the  products  of  the  soil,  and  these  will  be 
increased  as  the  number  of  land-holders  increases,  and  in  proportion  to  the 
capital  invested  in  its  cultivation.  The  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per 
acre,  la;d  out  on  the  land,  will  produce  far  more  revenue  to  the  government  in 
a  few  years,  than  if  deposited  in  the  treasury.  The  true  policy  for  any  gov 
ernment  is  to  give,  to  every  citizen  who  will  cultivate  it,  a  farm  without 
prici1,  and  secure  it  to  him  for  a  permanent  homestead.  Especially  should 
the  citizen  who  deprives  himself  of  the  blessings  of  home  and  civilization  for 
a  time,  to  reclaim  the  wilderness  that  it  may  be  added  to  the  common 
wealth,  be  allowed  his  land  gratis. 

But  if  the  land  must  be  sold,  and  the  proceeds  applied  to  defray  expenses 
of  government,  the  state  should  be  the  recipient,  and  not  the  general  gov 
ernment.  Every  new  state  must  incur  extraordinary  expenses  in  setting 
its  government  in  motion.  It  has  its  public  edifices,  State-house,  Asylums, 
Penitentiary,  Universities,  School-houses,  Railroads,  etc.,  to  construct,  and 
limited  means  at  command.  Should  Congress,  in  its  wisdom,  donate,  as  wo 
have  reason  to  believe  it  will,  all  the  public  lands  of  Kansas  to  the  state,  it 


352  KANSAS. 

will  then  be  the  duty  of  the  assembly  to  dispose  of  them.  In  such  an  event, 
by  donating  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  as  a  homestead  to  each  resident  of 
five  years,  and  allowing  no  one  person  to  purchase  of  the  state  more  than 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  additional,  the  state  would  become  rapidly 
settled,  and  at  the  same  time  secure  a  fund  for  educational  and  other  pur 
poses  equal  to  its  necessities. 

The  indiscriminate  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks  in  a  state  like  Kansas, 
where  are  numerous  Indian  tribes,  is  productive  of  much  mischief.  Some 
tribes  within  our  borders  are  still  uncivilized,  and  indulge  their  appetites 
without  restraint,  while  many  of  the  other  tribes  are  equally  unfortunate. 
It  is  a  duty  we  owe  to  the  Indian,  that  we  not  only  cultivate  the  most  friendly 
intercourse,  but  that  we  protect  him  from  injury  ;  and  this  subject  should 
not  be  overlooked  by  the  General  Assembly. 

The  use  of  intoxicating  drinks,  as  a  beverage,  impairs  the  health,  morals, 
good  order  and  prosperity,  of  any  community,  and  the  traffic  in  them  is  an 
unmitigated  evil,  and  it  is  for  the  Legislature  in  its  wisdom  to  adopt  such 
measures  as  shall  best  secure  the  public  welfare. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  a  skeleton  of  a  government  still  exists  in  our 
midst,  under  the  territorial  form,  and  although  this  was  but  the  foreshadow 
ing  of  a  new  and  better  covenant,  collision  with  it  should  be  carefully 
guarded  against.  A  territorial  government  is  transient  in  its  nature,  only 
waiting  the  action  of  the  people  to  form  a  government  of  their  own.  This 
action  has  been  taken  by  the  people  of  Kansas,  and  it  only  remains  for  the 
General  Government  to  suspend  its  territorial  appropriations,  recall  its  offi 
cers,  and  admit  Kansas  into  the  Union  as  a  sovereign  state. 

The  reasons  why  the  territorial  government  should  be  suspended  and 
Kansas  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  state,  are  various.  In  the  first  place, 
it  is  not  a  government  of  the  people.  The  executive  and  judicial  officers  are 
imposed  upon  the  people  by  a  distant  power,  and  the  officers  thus  imposed 
are  foreign  to  our  soil,  and  are  accountable,  not  to  the  people,  but  to  an 
executive  two  thousand  miles  distant.  American  citizens  have  for  a  long 
time  been  accustomed  to  govern  themselves,  and  to  have  a  voice  in  the  choice 
of  their  officers  ;  but,  in  the  territorial  government,  they  not  only  have  no 
voice  in  choosing  some  of  their  officers,  but  are  deprived  of  a  vof,e  for  the 
officer  who  appoints  them. 

Again  :  governments  are  instituted  for  the  good  and  protection  of  the 
governed  ;  but  the  territorial  government  of  Kansas  has  been,  and  still  is, 
an  instrument  of  oppression  and  tyranny  unequalled  in  the  history  of  our 
republic.  The  only  officers  that  attempted  to  administer  the  laws  impar 
tially  have  been  removed,  and  persons  substituted  who  have  aided  in  our 
subjugation.  Such  has  been  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  the  people  of  a 
neighboring  state,  either  intentionally  or  otherwise,  that  Kansas,  to-day,  is 
without  a  single  law  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  territory.  "Not  a  man  in 
the  country  will  attempt  to  deny  that  every  election  had  under  the  territo- 


APPENDIX.  353 

rial  government  was  carried  by  armed  invaders  from  an  adjoining  state,  and 
for  the  purpose  of  enacting  law's  in  opposition  to  the  known  wishes  of  the 
I  eople. 

The  territorial  government  should  be  withdrawn,  because  it  is  inopera 
tive.  The  officers  of  the  law  permit  all  manner  of  outrages  and  crime  to  be 
perpetrated  by  the  invaders  and  their  friends  with  impunity,  while  the  citi 
zens  proper  are  naturally  law-abiding  and  order  loving,  disposed  rather  to 
suffer  than  do  wrong.  Several  of  the  most  aggravated  murders  on  record 
have  been  committed,  but  as  long  as  the  murders  are  on  the  side  of  the 
oppressors,  no  notice  is  taken  of  them.  Not  one  of  the  whole  number  has 
been  brought  to  justice,  and  not  one  will  be,  by  the  territorial  officers.  While 
the  marauders  are  thus  in  open  violation  of  all  law,  nine  tenths  of  the  peo 
ple  scorn  to  recognize  as  law  the  enactments  of  a  foreign  body  of  men,  and 
would  sooner  lose  their  right  arms  than  bring  an  action  in  one  of  their  mis 
named  courts.  Americans  can  suffer  death,  but  not  dishonor  ;  and  sooner 
than  the  people  will  consent  to  recognize  the  edicts  of  lawless  invaders  as 
laws,,  their  blood  will  mingle  with  the  waters  of  the  Kansas,  and  this  Union 
be  rolled  together  in  civil  strife. 

Not  only  is  this  territorial  government  the  instrument  of  oppression  and 
subjugation  of  the  people,  but  under  it  there  is  no  hope  of  relief.  The 
organic  act  permits  the  Legislature  to  pi-escribe  the  qualification  of  voters, 
and  the  so-called  Legislature  has  provided  that  no  man  shall  vote  in  any 
election  who  will  not  bow  the  knee  to  the  dark  image  of  slavery,  and 
appointed  officers  fur  the  term  of  four  years  to  see  that  this  provision  is 
carried  out.  Thus  nine  tenths  of  the  citizens  are  disfranchised  and  debarred 
from  acting  under  the  territorial  government  if  they  would. 

Even  if  allowed  to  vote,  the  chief  executive  of  the  country  says  he  has 
no  power  to  protect  the  ballot-box  from  invaders,  and  if  the  people  organize 
to  protect  themselves,  his  appointees  intimate  that  they  must  be  disarmed 
and  put  down  ;  hence,  whether  allowed  to  vote  or  not,  there  is  no  opportu 
nity  for  the  people  of  the  territory  to  rule  under  the  present  territorial  gov 
ernment.  Indeed,  the  laws  are  so  made  and  construed  that  the  citizens  of  a 
neio-hborin"-  state  are  legal  voters  in  Kansas,  and  of  course  no  United  States 
force  cm  be  brought  against  them.  They  are  by  law  entitled  to  invade  us 
and  control  our  elections. 

According  to  the  organic  act  the  people  have  a  right  to  elect  a  Legislature, 
and  that  Legislature  has  aright  to  make  laws,  establish  courts,  and  do  every 
thing  but  choose  their  executive  and  supreme  judicial  officers.  If  they  have 
the  right  to  do  the  one,  they  undoubtedly  should  have  the  right  to  do  the 
other.  The  principle  of  squatter  sovereignty,  upon  which  this  act  is  said  to 
be  b:ised,  knows  no  distinction  between  the  power  to  legislate  and  the  power 
to  adju  licate  or  execute.  If  the  right  of  one  department  of  government  is 
inherent  in  the  people,  so  is  the  other.  On  this  subject  there  is  high  author 
ity.  Gen.  Cass,  in  the  Senate,  said  :  "  The  government  of  the  United 
30* 


354  KANSAS. 

States  is  one  of  limited  authority,  vested  with  no  powers  not  expressly 
granted  or  not  necessary  to  the  proper  execution  of  such  as  are." 

"  There  is  no  provision  in  the  constitution  granting  any  powers  of  legis 
lation  over  the  « territory  or  other  property  of  the  United  States,'  except 
such  as  relates  to  its  regulation  and  disposition.  Political  jurisdiction  is 
entirely  withheld,  nor  is  there  any  just  implication  which  can  supply  this 
defect  of  original  authority." 

Again  he  says,  "  I  shall  vote  for  the  entire  interdiction  of  all  federal  ac 
tion  over  this  general  question,  under  any  circumstances  that  may  occur." 
But  the  executive  and  judiciary  of  Kansas  are  the  creatures  of  the  federal 
government,  and  under  its  control,  and  the  governor  has  a  negative 
legislative  power  equal  to  two  thirds  of  both  branches  of  the  Legislature, 
leaving  to  the  people  of  the  territory  only  one  third  of  one  of  the  three  de 
partments  of  government,  and  to  the  general  government  all  of  two  depart 
ments,  and  two  thirds  of  the  other. 

Also,  he  says,  "  Leave  the  people  who  will  be  affected  by  this  question 
(slavery),  to  adjust  it  upon  their  own  responsibility  and  in  their  own  man 
ner,  and  we  shall  render  another  tribute  to  the  original  principles  of  our 
government,  and  furnish  another  guaranty  for  its  permanency  and  pros 
perity."  But  how  can  this  or  any  other  question  be  adjusted  by  the  people, 
while  ruled  by  a  foreign  executive  and  judiciary? 

Mr.  Douglas  says,  "  I  have  always  held  that  the  people  have  a  right  to 
settle  these  questions  as  they  choose,  not  only  when  they  come  into  the 
Union  as  a  state,  but  that  they  should  be  permitted  to  do  so  while  a  terri 
tory."  If  the  people  have  this  right,  then  the  federal  government  has  no 
right  to  interfere  with  it,  and  the  people  of  Kansas  have  a  right  to  demand 
that  the  present  territorial  government  of  Kansas  be  withdrawn,  and  that 
they  be  allowed  to  choose  all  their  officers. 

Mr.  Henn,  of  Iowa,  in  Congress,  said,  "  I  would  that  Congress  would  rec 
ognize  the  doctrine  of  '  squatter  sovereignty '  in  its  length  and  breadth; 
that  the  citizen,  wherever  he  may  settle,  if  on  American  soil,  shall  have  all 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  citizenship,  and  be  consulted  by  executives  as 
well  as  by  representatives.  This  would  be  right.  This  would  be  simple  jus 
tice.  It  is  a  doctrine  that  was  broadly  asserted,  and  with  firmness  main 
tained,  by  the  fathers  of  our  republic." 

In  the  organic  act  of  the  territory,  section  14,  is  the  following:  "It 
being  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  act  not  to  legislate  slavery  into 
any  territory  or  state,  nor  to  exclude  it  therefrom,  but  to  leave  the  people 
thereof  perfectly  free  to  form,  and  regulate  their  domestic  institutions  in 
their  own  way,  subject  only  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States." 

But  how  can  this  "  intent  "  be  carried  out  with  an  executive  and  judi 
ciary,  and  two  thirds  of  the  legislative  power,  in  opposition  to  the  will  of 
the  people,  and  with  an  overwhelming  invasion  at  every  election  by  permis 
sion  of  these  officers  ? 


APPENDIX.  355 

In  the  President's  annual  message  to  Congress,  for  the  current  year,  he 
says,  "  In  the  counsels  of  Congress  there  was  manifested  extreme  antagonism 
of  opinion  and  action  between  some  representatives  who  sought,  by  the 
abusive  and  unconstitutional  employment  of  the  legislative  powers  of  the 
government,  to  interfere  in  the  condition  of  inchoate  states,  and  to  impose 
their  own  social  theories  upon  the  latter  ;  and  other  representatives,  who 
repelled  the  interposition  of  the  general  government  in  this  respect,  and 
maintained  the  self-constituted  rights  of  the  states.  In  truth,  the  thing 
attempted  was  in  form  alone  the  action  of  the  general  government,  while 
in  reality  it  was  the  endeavor,  by  abuse  of  legislative  power,  to  force  the 
ideas  of  internal  policy,  entertained  by  particular  states,  upon  allied  inde 
pendent  states.  Once  more  the  constitution  and  the  Union  triumphed  sig 
nally.  The  new  territories  were  organized  without  restrictions  on  the  dis 
puted  point,  and  were  thus  left  to  judge  in  that  particular  for  themselves." 

If  it  would  have  been  an  "  abuse  of  legislative  power"  for  Congress  to 
"  force  the  ideas  of  internal  policy  entertained  by  particular  states  "  upon 
Kansas,  by  what  reasoning  does  he  justify  the  executive  in  the  exercise 
of  that  power  ?  That  the  officials  of  his  appointment  are  to-day  endeavor 
ing  to  do  this  very  thing,  against  the  sentiment  of  a  large  majority  of  the 
people,  cannot  admit  of  a  doubt. 

Again  he  says,  "  The  measure  of  its  repeal  (Missouri  Compromise)  was 
the  final  consummation  and  complete  recognition  of  the  principle,  that  no 
portion  of  the  United  States  shall  undertake,  through  assumption  of  the 
powers  of  the  general  government,  to  dictate  the  social  institutions  of  any 
other  portion." 

The  people  of  Kansas  have  reason  to  feel  that  the  "  complete  recogni 
tion  "  of  the  principle,  unless  carried  into  practice,  is  of  no  avail  to  them, 
and  that  the  recognition  of  this  principle  by  Congress,  while  the  opposite  is 
acted  upon  by  the  executive,  would  be  simple  mockery. 

Once  more;  "If  the  friends  of  the  constitution  are  to  have  another 
struggle,  its  enemies  could  not  present  a  more  acceptable  issue  than  that 
of  a  state,  whose  constitution  clearly  embraces  a  republican  form  of  govern 
ment,  being  excluded  from  the  Union  because  its  domestic  institutions  may 
not  in  all  respects  comport  with  the  ideas  of  what  is  wise  and  expedient  en 
tertained  in  some  other  state."  "  If  a  new  state,  formed  from  the  territory 
of  the  United  States,  be  absolutely  excluded  from  admission  therein,  that 
fact,  of  itself,  constitutes  the  disruption  of  union  between  it  and  the  other 
states.  Bat  the  process  of  dissolution  could  not  stop  there.  Would  not 
a  sectional  decision,  producing  such  a  result  by  a  majority  of  votes,  either 
northern  or  southern,  of  necessity  drive  out  the  oppressed  and  aggrieved 
minority,  and  place  in  presence  of  each  other  two  irreconcilably  hostile 
confederations?  " 

Thus  it  will  be  seen,  by  the  highest  democratic  authority  in  the  coun 
try,  that  the  people  of  Kansas  have  a  right  to  demand  the  removal  of  the 


356  KANSAS. 

present  oppressive  territorial  government,  and  also  that  they  be  admitted 
into  the  Union  as  an  equal  and  independent  state. 

Knowing  that  one  great  party  in  Congress,  with  the  President  at  its  head, 
•was  in  principle  committed  to  our  defence,  and  believing  that  many  from 
the  other  parties  would,  if  not  from  principle,  as  an  act  of  justice,  be  in 
duced  to  look  upon  us  with  favor,  we  had  a  right  to  anticipate  a  speedy 
termination  of  our  present  thraldom.  However,  owing  to  an  apparent  mis 
understanding  of  the  constitutional  movements  in  Kansas,  the  President 
intimates  in  a  special  message  that  Congress  must  interfere  and  make  the 
people  undo  what,  with  great  care  and  expense,  they  have  so  well  done. 
This  message,  as  it  refers  exclusively  to  Kansas,  should  receive  some  atten 
tion  from  the  General  Assembly.  Kansas  men,  "  squatter  sovereignty  " 
men,  cannot  fail  to  be  somewhat  surprised  at  its  purport.  It  is  somewhat 
belligerent  in  its  tone,  threatening  to  bring  against  the  people  of  Kansas 
the  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States  ;  and,  should  this  force  be  inade 
quate  to  the  task,  the  militia  of  the  several  states  are  to  be  brought  into 
requisition  to  compel  the  people  to  submit  to  what  they  do  not  recognize  as 
laws,  and  to  laws,  according  to  his  own  showing,  the  people  of  Missouri, 
with  the  aid  of  the  executive  which  he  appointed,  have  enacted. 

But  it  is  to  be  hoped  that,  by  the  time  his  forces  are  raised  and  marched 
into  the  territory,  he  will  find,  like  His  Excellency  Governor  Shannon,  that 
the  people  are  not  so  deserving  of  annihilation  as  he  had  supposed. 

The  President  gives  the  details  of  the  invasion  of  Kansas  and  the  Govern 
or's  connection  therewith,  and  does  not  deny  that  the  so-called  territorial 
Legislature  was  elected  by  the  people  of  Missouri;  but  because  the  Gov 
ernor,  his  appointee,  chose  to  grant  certificates  of  election  to  a  majority  of 
persons  elected  by  the  people  of  a  neighboring  state,  therefore  their  laws 
are  binding  upon  the  people.  To  strengthen  his  argument,  he  might  have 
accused  the  Governor  of  still  further  ^complicity  with  the  invaders,  and 
have  said  that  although  this  territory  is  hundreds  of  miles  in  extent,  and 
the  people  were  politically  unorganized,  yet  he  gave  them  but  four  days  in 
which  to  contest  the  election,  and  would  not  extend  the  time  one  hour;  for 
it  is  said  that  a  protest  arrived  at  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  fifth 
day,  which,  had  it  been  regarded,  would  have  changed  five  seats  in  the 
Legislature;  but  it  was  too  late  by  one  hour,  and  could  not  be  received. 

The  argument  of  the  President  may  be  good  against  any  objection  to  the 
acts  of  the  Legislature  on  his  part,  as,  in  the  first  place,  he  refused  to  protect 
the  ballot-box  from  fraud,  and,  in  the  second  place,  so  far  as  lay  in  his 
power,  his  appointee  legalized  it;  but  is  it  good  against  the  people? 

The  organic  act  provides  for  a  Legislature  to  be  elected  from,  and  by,  the 
voters;  and  a  voter  is  to  be  "  an  actual  resident  of  said  territory  ;"  and  if 
any  other  set  of  men,  either  with  or  without  the  sanction  of  the  executive, 
claim  to  be  the  Legislature,  are  the  people  bound  to  regard  them  as  such  ? 


APPENDIX.  357 

Also,  this  act  says,  "It  is  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  act  to  leave 
the  people  of  the  territory  perfectly  free  to  form  and  regulate  their  domes 
tic  institutions  in  their  own  way,  subject  only  to  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,"  not  subject  to  the  people  of  Missouri,  or  the  executive,  or 
both  of  them  together.  How  can  the  true  intent  of  this  law  be  earned  out  by 
a  Legislature  elected  as  was  that  on  the  thirtieth  of  March  last  ?  Yet  that 
Legislature,  elected  from  and  by  the  people  of  a  neighboring  state,  have 
assumed  to  pass  laws  for  the  people  of  Kansas,  and  also  to  "  legislate  slavery 
into  the  territory,"  which  Congress  itself  professed  not  to  have  the  right  to 
do  ;  and  these  are  the  so-called  laws  that  the  President  says  must  be  en 
forced,  even  though  it  require  all  the  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States 
and  the  militia  of  the  several  states.  Undoubtedly  one  half  of  this  force 
will  be  all-sufficient  to  enable  him  to  enforce  any  process,  or  to  chop,  shoot 
and  hang  all  the  inhabitants.  But  all  the  armies  and  navies  in  the  world 
could  not  make  the  people  believe  he  had  a  right  to  do  it,  or  that  the  enact 
ments  of  that  border  Legislature  were  binding  upon  the  people  of  Kansas. 
If  squatter  sovereignty  means  simply  that  Congress  has  no  right  to  inter 
fere  with  the  affairs  of  a  territory,  but  that  the  executive  and  the  people 
of  another  state  have,  then  most  certainly  that  doctrine  will  be  very  unpop 
ular  in  Kansas. 

Other  reasons  might  be  given  to  show  that  no  legal  Legislature  have  ever 
passed  laws  in  Kansas  besides  the  above,  as  the  removal  of  the  sittings 
from  Pawnee  to  the  Shawnee  Mission,  which  is  on  the  Shawnee  Reserve,  as 
it  is  understood,  and  can,  consequently,  "  constitute  no  part  of  the  terri 
tory  of  Kansas."  The  organic  act  provides  that  "  the  persons  having  the 
highest  number  of  legal  votes  in  each  district  for  members  of  the  Council 
(or  House  of  Representatives)  shall  be  declared  by  the  Governor  to  be  dulv 
elected."  From  this  decision  there  is  no  appeal,  according  to  the  act  ;  yet 
nine  persons,  declared  to  be  duly  elected  by  the  Governor,  were  ejected  by 
the  Legislature,  and  others  admitted.  But  one  person,  it  is  believed,  was 
duly  elected  by  the  legal  voters  of  the  territory,  and  he  resigned  his  seat, 
regarding  the  whole  body  illegal.  His  seat  was  filled  without  an  election, 
and  by  the  Legislature;  hence,  probably,  not  one  of  the  members  of  the 
body  could  have  received  the  suffrages  of  the  legal  voters  in  the  districts 
they  pretended  to  represent. 

It  is  the  enactments  of  such  a  body  of  men  that  the  army,  navy  and 
militia  of  the  country  are  to  enforce  upon  the  people,  who  were  told  they 
should  "  be  free  to  form  and  regulate  their  domestic  institutions  in  their 
own  way;  "  a  body  of  men  elected  by  a  neighboring  state;  who  did  not  sit 
at  the  seat  of  government  as  required;  who  did  sit  at  the  Shawnee  Mission, 
understood  to  form  no  part  of  the  territory  of  Kansas;  who  turned  out 
nine  of  its  legally  elected  members  and  received  in  their  stead  nine  persons 
not  legally  elected;  who  filled  a  vacancy  by  appointment,  and  not  by  elec- 


858  KANSAS. 

tion  of  the  voters  of  the  district,  etc.,  to  say  nothing  of  the  Draconian 
character  of  the  enactments. 

The  President  says,  "  The  constitutional  means  of  relieving  the  people  of 
unjust  administrations  and  laws,  by  a  change  of  public  agents,  and  by  re 
peal,  are  ample."  This  is  usually  the  case,  and  ought  always  to  be  so  ;  but 
the  case  of  Kansas  is  an  exception.  The  administration  of  Kansas  has  its 
head  at  Washington,  and  we  have  not  so  much  as  a  vote  in  favor  of  its  con 
tinuance  or  removal  ;  while  the  repeal  of  any  laws,  under  present  arrange 
ments,  by  the  people,  is  out  of  the  question,  as  the  Legislature  has  disfran 
chised  a  large  majority  of  them.  No  man,  in  favor  of  a  change  or  repeal 
of  certain  laws,  can  vote  under  our  new  oi^der  of  things  ;  and,  consequently, 
no  peaceable  way  of  establishing  a  government  of  the  people  is  left  but  to 
form  a  state  constitution,  and  ask  for  admission  into  the  Union.  This  has 
been  done  ;  but  the  President  objects  to  our  constitution,  and  calls  the 
movement  for  a  state  government  revolutionary,  and  intimates  that  the 
forces  of  the  Union  must,  if  necessary,  be  brought  against  it,  although  he 
admits  that  it  was  not  revolutionary  for  other  territories  to  do  precisely 
what  we  have  done — as  California,  Michigan,  and  others.  His  reason  is, 
that  the  constitution  of  Kansas  was  formed  by  a  party,  and  not  by  the 
•whole  people.  What  are  the  facts  ?  A  bill,  calling  for  a  convention  for  the 
formation  of  a  state  constitution,  is  said  to  have  passed  through  one  house 
of  the  Mission  Legislature,  and  was  defeated  in  the  other  only  because  they 
feared  the  result  would  be  a  free  state.  In  July  and  August  a  paper  was 
circulated  for  the  signatures  of  all  such  persons  as  were  desirous  of  forming 
a  state  government,  and  between  one  and  two  thousand  persons  signed  it. 
August  15th,  a  general  mass  meeting  of  citizens,  irrespective  of  party,  was 
held  at  Lawrence,  pursuant  to  a  public  call,  signed  "  Many  Citizens,"  "  to 
take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  calling  a  Territorial  Delegate  Con 
vention,  preliminary  to  the  formation  of  a  state  government,  and  other  sub 
jects  of  public  interest."  At  this  meeting  all  parties  participated,  and  the 
following  preamble  and  resolution  were  adopted,  with  but  one  dissenting 
voice,  and  that  was  an  acknowledged  disunion  abolitionist,  the  only  one  of 
that  party  at  the  meeting. 

"  Whereas  the  people  of  Kansas  Territory  have  been,  since  its  settlement, 
and  now  are,  without  any  law-making  power  ;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  we,  the  people  of  Kansas,  in  mass  meeting  assembled, 
irrespective  of  party  distinctions,  influenced  by  a  common  necessity,  and 
greatly  desirous  of  promoting  the  common  good,  do  hereby  call  upon  and 
request  all  bona  fide  citizens  of  Kansas  Territory,  of  whatever  political 
views  or  predilections,  to  counsel  together  in  their  respective  election  dis 
tricts,  and  in  mass  convention,  or  otherwise,  elect  three  delegates  for  each 
representative  to  which  such  district  is  entitled,  in  the  House  of  Represent 
atives  or  the  Legislative  Assembly,  by  proclamation  of  Gov.  Reeder,  of  date 
10th  March,  1855  ;  said  delegates  to  assemble  in  convention  at  the  town  of 


APPENDIX.  359 

Topeka,  on  the  19th  day  of  September,  1855,  then  and  there  to  consider 
and  determine  upon  all  subjects  of  public  interest,  and  particularly  upon 
that  having  reference  to  the  speedy  formation  of  a  state  constitution,  with 
an  intention  of  an  immediate  application  to  be  admitted  as  a  state  into  the 
Union  of  the  «  United  States  of  America.'  " 

This  was  the  first  public  action  taken  by  the  people  in  their  sovereign 
capacity  upon  this  subject,  and  all  parties  and  sects  participated. 

The  next  action  was  at  a  party  convention  held  at  Big  Springs  on  the  5th 
and  6th  of  September.  A  committee  on  state  organization  was  appointed, 
and  made  the  following  report : 

"  Your  committee,  after  considering  the  propriety  of  taking  preliminary 
steps  to  framing  a  constitution,  and  applying  for  admission  as  a  state  into 
the  Union,  beg  leave  to  report  that,  under  the  present  circumstances,  they 
deem  the  movement  untimely  and  inexpedient" 

The  following  was  offered  as  a  substitute  for  the  report : 

"  Resolved,  That  this  convention,  in  view  of  its  recent  repudiation  of  the 
acts  of  the  so-called  Kansas  Legislative  Assembly,  respond  most  heartily  to 
the  call  made  by  the  people's  convention  of  the  15th  ult,  for  a  Delegate  Con 
vention  of  the  people  of  Kansas  Territory,  to  be  held  at  Topeka  on  the  19th 
inst.,  to  consider  the  propriety  of  the  formation  of  a  state  constitution,  and 
such  other  matters  as  may  legitimately  come  before  it."  This  substitute 
was  agreed  to. 

Thus  it  appears  that  this  party  convention  simply  approved  of  the  action 
of  the  citizens'  convention  at  Lawrence,  and  let  the  matter  rest. 

A  Delegate  Convention,  irrespective  of  party,  was  held  at  Topeka,  Sept. 
19th  and  20th,  agreeable  to  the  call  of  the  mass  convention  of  the  15th  of 
August,  and  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  were  unanimously 
adopted  : 

"  Whereas  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  guarantees  to  the  people 
of  this  republic  the  right  of  assembling  together  in  a  peaceable  manner  for 
their  common  good,  to  establish  justice,  insure  domestic  tranquillity,  provide 
for  the  common  defence,  promote  the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  bless 
ings  of  liberty  to  themselves  and  their  posterity  ;  and  whereas  the  citizens 
of  Kansas  Territory  were  prevented  from  electing  members  of  a  Legislative 
Assembly,  in  pursuance  of  a  proclamation  of  Gov.  Reeder,  on  the  thirtieth 
of  March  last,  by  invading  forces  from  foreign  states  coming  into  the  terri 
tory,  and  forcing  upon  the  people  a  Legislature  of  non-residents,  and  oth 
ers,  inimical  to  the  interests  of  the  people  of  Kansas  Territory,  defeating 
the  object  of  the  organic  act,  in  consequence  of  which  the  territorial  gov 
ernment  became  a  perfect  failure,  and  the  people  were  left  without  any  legal 
government,  until  their  patience  has  become  exhausted,  and  endurance 
ceases  to  be  a  virtue  ;  and  they  are  compelled  to  resort  to  the  only  remedy 
left  —  that  of  forming  a  government  for  themselves  ;  therefore, 

"  Resolved,  By  the  people  of  Kansas  Territory,  in  Delegate  Convention 


360  KANSAS. 

assembled,  That  an  election  shall  be  held  in  the  several  election  precincts  of 
this  territory,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October  next,  under  the  regulations 
and  restrictions  hereinafter  imposed,  for  members  of  a  convention  to  forma 
constitution,  adopt  a  bill  of  rights  for  the  people  of  Kansas,  and  take  all 
needful  measures  for  organizing  a  state  government,  preparatory  to  the 
admission  of  Kansas  into  the  Union  as  a  state." 

At  this  convention  a  Territorial  Executive  Committee  was  appointed,  and 
the  committee,  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the  convention,  is 
sued  a  proclamation,  commencing  as  follows  : 

"  TO   THE   LEGAL  VOTERS    OF  KANSAS. 

"  Whereas  the  territorial  government,  as  now  constituted  for  Kansas, 
has  proved  a  failure  —  squatter  sovereignty  under  its  workings  a  miserable 
delusion  —  in  proof  of  which  it  is  only  necessary  to  refer  to  our  past  his 
tory,  and  our  present  deplorable  condition  ; — our  ballot-boxes  have  been 
taken  possession  of  by  bands  of  armed  men  from  foreign  states,  and  our 
people  forcibly  driven  therefrom  ;  persons  attempted  to  be  foistered  upon 
us  as  menbers  of  a  so-called  Legislature,  unacquainted  with  our  wants,  and 
hostile  to  our  best  interests,  some  of  them  never  residents  of  our  territory  ; 
misnamed  laws  passed,  and  now  attempted  to  be  enforced  by  the  aid  of  cit 
izens  of  foreign  states,  of  the  most  oppressive,  tyrannical,  and  insulting 
character  ;  the  right  of  suffrage  taken  from  us  ;  debarred  from  the  privi 
lege  of  a  voice  in  the  election  of  even  the  most  insignificant  officers  ;  the 
right  of  free  speech  stifled  ;  the  muzzling  of  the  press  attempted  ;  —  and 
whereas  longer  forbearance  with  such  oppression  has  ceased  to  be  a  virtue  ; 
and  whereas  the  people  of  this  country  have  heretofore  exercised  the  right 
of  changing  their  form  of  government  when  it  became  oppressive,  and  have, 
at  all  times,  conceded  this  right  to  the  people  in  this  and  all  other  govern 
ments  ;  and  whereas  a  territorial  form  of  government  is  unknown  to  the 
constitution,  and  is  the  mere  ci'eature  of  necessity,  awaiting  the  action  of 
the  people  ;  and  whereas  the  debasing  character  of  the  slavery,  which  now 
involves  us,  impels  us  to  action,  and  leaves  us  the  only  legal  and  peaceful 
alternative — the  immediate  establishment  of  a  state  government;  and 
whereas  the  organic  act  fails  in  pointing  out  the  course  to  be  adopted  in  an 
emergency  like  ours  ;  therefore,  you  are  requested  to  meet  at  your  several 
precincts  in  said  territory  hereinafter  mentioned,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of 
October  next,  it  being  the  ninth  day  of  said  month,  and  then  and  there 
cast  your  ballots  for  members  of  a  convention,  to  meet  at  Topeka  on  the 
fourth  Tuesday  of  October  next,  to  form  a  constitution,  adopt  a  bill  of 
rights  for  the  people  of  Kansas,  and  take  all  needful  measures  for  organiz 
ing  a  state  government  preparatory  to  the  admission  of  Kansas  into  the 
Union  as  a  State." 

On  the  fourth  Tuesday  of  October,  the  Constitutional  Convention  assem 
bled  at  Topeka,  and  drafted  a  constitution,  which  was  submitted  to  the  peo- 


APPENDIX.  861 

pie  on  the  fifteenth  of  December,  and  by  them  approved,  by  a  very  large 
majority  —  men  of  all  parties  voting. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  history  of  the  constitutional  movement  in  Kansas ; 
and,  if  this  is  a  party  movement,  it  is  difficult  to  see  in  what  way  a  consti 
tution  can  be  framed  and  adopted  not  open  to  this  charge.  If  the  people  or 
any  other  portion  of  them  failed  to  participate,  it  was  their  own  fault,  and 
not  the  fault  of  those  who  were  active.  Democrats,  Hards  and  Softs,  Whigs, 
Hunkers  and  Liberals,  Republicans,  Pro-Slavery  and  Anti-Slavery  men  of 
all  shades  participated  in  the  formation  of  the  state  government,  and  if  it 
be  a  party  movement  at  all,  it  certainly  cannot  be  a  movement  of  one  party 
alone.  In  a  republican  government,  the  majority  has  no  power  to  compel 
the  minority  to  vote  on  any  question  ;  neither  has  the  minority  a  right  to 
object  to  the  action  of  the  majority,  because  they  did  not  choose  to  act  with 
them. 

The  President  says  :  "No  principle  of  public  law,  no  practice  or  pre 
cedent  under  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  no  rule  of  reason,  right 
or  common  sense,  confers  any  such  power  as  that  now  claimed  by  a  mere 
party  in  the  territory.  In  fact,  what  has  been  done  is  of  a  revolutionary 
character.  It  will  become  treasonable  insurrection  if  it  reach  the  length  of 
organized  resistance  by  force  to  the  fundamental  or  any  other  federal  law, 
and  to  the  authority  of  the  general  government." 

"  No  principle  of  public  law  "  ?  What  is  the  principle  of  squatter  sover 
eignty,  then?  "No  precedent"?  What  did  Michigan,  California,  and 
other  new  states  do  ?  "No  rule  of  reason,  right,  or  common  sense  "  ?  Is 
popular  sovereignty  unreasonable,  unjust  and  nonsensical  ?  Suppose  the 
party  comprise  an  overwhelming  majority  of  the  people,  what  then? 

James  Christian,  Esq.,  a  very  honorable  and  high-minded  pro-slavery 
gentleman,  writes  to  a  friend  in  Kentucky  as  follows  :  "  I  believe  I  informed 
you  before  that  I  have  been  appointed  clerk  of  this  (Douglas)  county,  under 
the  territorial  Legislature ;  but  we  are  in  such  a  horrible  state  of  confusion  in 
regard  to  the  laws  that  it  don't  pay  anything.  The  free-soilers  are  in  a 
large  majority  in  the  territory,  and  they  are  determined  to  pay  no  regard 
to  the  laws  ;  consequently  they  will  not  sue  nor  have  any  recording  done, 
so  my  office  is  only  in  name.  It  is  the  same  all  over  the  territory." 

According  to  the  President,  this  "  large  majority  "  can  have  no  rights, 
because  they  happen  to  think  alike  on  a  certain  subject,  or  belong  to  the 
same  "party."  It  was  formerly  a  principle  of  democracy  that  the  ma 
jority —  especially  "large  majorities"  —  should  rule;  but  times  must 
have  changed. 

If  this  "  large  majority  "  persist  in  setting  in  motion  a  state  government, 
it  will  be  "  treasonable."  It  was  not  so,  however,  in  Michigan,  California, 
and  other  states.  But  the  people  of  Kansas  do  not  propose  to  reach  the 
point  of  "  organized  resistance  by  force  to  the  fundamental  or  any  other 
federal  law,  nnd  to  the  authority  of  the  general  government,"  unless  our 
31 


KANSAS. 

state,  "  whose  constitution  clearly  embraces  a  republican  form  of  govern 
ment,  is  excluded  from  the  Union  because  its  domestic  institutions  may  not, 
in  aD  respects,  comport  with  the  ideas  of  what  is  wise  and  expedient,  enter 
tained  in  another  state." 

If  our  state  **  be  absolutely  excluded  from  admission  therein,  that  fact 
of  itself  (may)  constitute  the  disruption  of  union  between  it  and  the  other 
states.  Bat  the  process  of  dissolution  could  not  stop  there,"  and  -we  should 
have  the  chief  executive  oa  our  side  in  such  an  event.  But  no  such  re 
sult  is  to  be  anticipated.  IVhen  the  President  fully  understands  our  case, 
he  can  do  no  less  than  withdraw  his  recommendation  lor  an  enabling  act  to 
form  another  constitution,  and  Congress  will  admit  us  without  delay. 

Also  we  have  confidence  that  no  attempt  will  be  made  by  the  federal  au 
thorities  to  enforce  the  enactments  of  a  foreign  Legislature  upon  the  people 
of  Kansas.  Mr.  Christian,  the  pro-slavery  clerk  of  Douglas  County,  says, 
the  people  of  Missouri  came  into  the  territory  on  the  thirtieth  of  March  last, 
**  bearing  with  them  their  peculiar  institutions  —  bowie-knives,  pisiols  antf 
whiskey  —  to  the  amount  of  five  or  six  thousand,  carried  the  election  by 
storm,  and  elected  every  pro-slavery  candidate  that  was  in  the  field,  by 
overwhelming  majorities,  thus  securing  every  member  of  Council  and  House 
of  Representatives,  in  some  instances  driving  from  their  seats  the  judges 
appointed  by  the  governor,  and  placing  judges  from  their  own  number  in 
their  stead,  who  paid  no  regard  to  the  instructions  of  the  executive,"  etc, 

It  cannot  be  that  the  President,  after  permitting  the  people  of  another 
state  to  take  from  the  legal  voters  their  constitutional  and  organic  rights, 
will  add  to  the  outrage  by  compelling  the  people  of  Kansas  to  submit  to 
their  authority  and  obey  their  enactments.  It  is  bad  enough  to  be  deprived 
of  the  right  to  make  laws  for  ourselves,  but  it  is  worse  to  be  compelled  to 
submit  to  the  laws  of  those  who  deprived  us  of  that  rigM.  Although  ther^ 
has  been  and  there  will  be  n-o  organized  resistance  to  the  self-styled  territo 
rial  Legislature,  yet  nine  men  out  of  every  ten  spurn  it  with  contempt  as  a 
gross  outrage  upon  American  citizens,  and  it  is  highly  proper  for  the  Gene 
ral  Assembly  to  memorialize  Congress  upon  this  subject,  as  with  reference 
to  the  admission  of  the  state  into  the  Union. 

The  President  apologizes  for  the  frequent  invasions  of  Kansas-,  on  the- 
ground  that  some  northern  people  talked  about  the  repeal  of  tfee  Missouri 
Compromise,  and  subjects  connected  with  the  extension  of  negro  boadage, 
and  because  an  emigrant  aid  association  had  been  formed. 

The  people  of  this  country  have  been  in  the  habit  of  talking  about  the 
affairs  of  government  ever  since  the  Mayflower  discharged  ber  cargo  on 
Plymouth  Rock,  but  this  is  the  first  time  that  it  has  been  considered"  art 
apology  for  the  invasion  of  a  distant  siate  or  territory.  If  the  people  of 
Kansas  were  accountable  for  the  loquacity  of  the  Jforth  or  the  silence  of 
the  South,  the  case  might  be  different. 

Emigrant  aid  associations  are  nothing  new  irt  the  Unite^  States,     When 


APPENDIX.  363 

California  was  first  opened  to  settlement  the  same  kind  of  associations  were 
formed,  with  only  this  difference  :  in  one  case,  each  party  had  an  agent  of 
its  own  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  tickets,  arranging  details,  &c.  ;  while, 
in  the  other,  all  the  parties  have  a  common  agent.  There  is,  however,  con 
nected  with  the  aid  society  for  Kansas  emigrants,  a  stock  company,  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  mills,  hotels,  etc.,  in  the  new  country  :  but  the  agent  of 
this  society  will  purchase  tickets  for  a  slave-holder  as  soon  as  for  a  free-state 
man,  and  the  investments  are  for  the  benefit  of  all  settlers  alike.  No  ques 
tions  are  asked,  and  no  distinctions  are  made. 

Had  the  President  visited  Western  Missouri  before  any  aid  society  had 
been  formed  at  the  East,  he  might  have  found  a  secret,  oath-bound  associa 
tion,  pledged  to  make  Kansas  a  slave  state,  peaceably  if  they  could,  for 
cibly  if  they  must.  This  society  has  been  in  active  operation  since  its  incep 
tion,  and  now  threatens  to  deluge  Kansas  with  the  blood  of  American  cit 
izens,  for  the  crime  of  preferring  a  free  to  a  slave  state. 

Also,  it  is  only  necessary  to  read  a  few  southern  journals  to  see  accounts 
iu  different  parts  of  the  South,  not  of  emigrant  aid  societies,  but  of  Emi 
grant  buying  or  hiring  societies,  which  do  not  simply  procure  tickets  for 
the  emigrants,  at  cost,  irrespective  of  party  or  condition,  but  which  pay  the 
fare  and  expenses  of  the  right  kind  of  emigrants,  and  support  them  in 
Kansas  one  year,  more  or  less.  However  it  may  be,  the  "  king  can  do  no 
wrong,"  although  it  may  be  wrong  for  the  common  people  to  do  as  the  king 
does. 

The  people  of  Kansas  will  not  object  to  aid  societies,  whether  North  or 
South,  so  long  as  they  treat  all  parties  alike.  Emigrants  from  all  parts  of 
the  country  are  received  with  a  hearty  welcome,  and  the  investment  of 
capital,  whether  eastern  or  western,  northern  or  southern,  is  greatly 
needed. 

The  settlers  of  Kansas  have  suffered  severe  losses  and  injury  from  re 
peated  invasions  from  a  neighboring  state,  and  it  is  highly  proper  that  Con 
gress  be  memorialized  upon  this  subject.  Especially  should  the  general  gov 
ernment  repair  the  injury  it  has  inflicted.  All  the  invasions  have  been  per 
mitted  by  the  officers  of  the  government,  without  any  opposition,  while  at 
least  one  was  invited  by  them.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  federal  government  to 
protect  infant  territories  in  their  rights  ;  but  Kansas  has  not  only  not  been 
protected,  but  it  has  been  actually  oppressed  by  those  whose  duty  it  was  to 
defend  it. 

It  is  unjust  to  any  community  to  send  among  them  officers,  with  govern 
ment  patronage,  whose  political  sentiments  are  opposed  to  the  sentiments  of 
the  people,  particularly  when  those  officers  mount  the  stump  and  shoulder 
the  rifle  for  the  purpose  of  crushing  out  all  who  differ  from  them.  Some  of 
the  federal  officers  of  Kansas  are  charged  with  undignified  conduct,  and  one 
of  them,  at  least,  with  high  crimes  ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  to 
memorialize  the  President,  that  our  citizens  may  be  protected  in  their  lives 


364  KANSAS. 

and  inalienable  rights,  and  from  unwarrantable  interference  of  officials  iu 
the  management  of  their  internal  affairs.  It  is  manifestly  improper  for 
the  federal  officers  to  dictate  into,  or  out  of  Kansas,  an  institution  over 
•which  Congress  professes  to  have  no  authority. 

It  is  understood  that  the  deputy  marshal  has  private  instructions  to  arrest 
the  members  of  the  Legislature,  and  the  state  officers,  for  treason,  as  soon 
as  this  address  is  received  by  you.  In  such  an  event,  of  course,  no  resist 
ance  will  be  offered  to  the  officer.  Men  who  are  ready  to  defend  their  own 
and  their  country's  honor  with  their  lives,  can  never  object  to  a  legal  inves 
tigation  into  their  actions,  nor  to  suffer  any  punishment  their  conduct  may 
merit.  We  should  be  unworthy  the  constituency  we  represent,  did  we  shrink 
even  from  martyrdom  on  the  scaffold,  or  at  the  stake,  should  duty  require 
it.  Should  the  blood  of  Collins  and  Dow,  of  Barber  and  Brown,  be  insuffi 
cient  to  quench  the  thirst  of  the  President  and  his  accomplices,  in  the  hol 
low  mockery  of  "  squatter  sovereignty  "  they  are  practising  upon  the  people 
of  Kansas,  then  more  victims  must  be  furnished.  Let  what  will  come,  not 
a  finger  should  be  raised  against  the  federal  authority,  until  there  shall  be 
no  hope  of  relief  but  in  revolution. 

The  task  imposed  upon  us  is  a  difficult  one  ;  but  with  mutual  cooperation, 
and  a  firm  reliance  on  His  wisdom  who  makes  "  the  wrath  of  man  praise 
him,"  we  may  hope  to  inaugurate  a  government  that  shall  not  be  unworthy 

of  the  country  and  the  age  in  which  we  live. 

C.  ROBINSON. 
TOPEKA,  March  4th,  1856. 


APPENDIX.  365 

CHARGE  OF  THE  BORDER-RUFFIAN  BRIGADE. 

From  the  New  York  Evening  Post. 

"  OUR  forces  amounted  to  eight  hundred  strong.  *  *  *  When  we  first 
reached  Lawrence  not  a  human  being  could  be  seen.  In  about  an  hour 
there  gathered,  in  the  streets,  in  front  of  the  hotel,  some  hundred  and  fifty 
men.  *  *  *  When  they  agreed  to  surrender,  our  men  were  marched  down 
in  front  of  the  town,  and  one  cannon  planted  on  their  own  battlements. 
Cannon  were  brought  in  front  of  the  house,  and  directed  their  destructive 
blows  upon  the.  walls  ;  the  building  caught  on  fire,  and  soon  its  walls  came 
with  a  crash  to  the  ground.  Thus  fell  the  abolition  fortress  !  " — Lecompton 
(border  ruffian)  Union,  the  editor  of  which  was  one  of  the  gallant  eight 
hundred. 

I. 
Half  a  league,  half  a  league, 

Half  a  league  onward, 
All  to  the  fated  town, 

Rode  the  Eight  Hundred. 
'*  Charge  !  "  was  the  captain's  cry  ; 
No  foeman's  bayonet  nigh, 
No  gun  to  make  reply  — 
**  Charge  !  "  was  the  gallant  cry> 
And  into  the  fated  town 

Rode  the  Eight  Hundred  ! 

ii. 

No  cannon  to  right  of  them, 
No  cannon  to  left  of  them, 
No  cannon  in  front  of  them, 

Volleyed  and  thundered ! 
Stormed  at  by  shot  nor  shell, 
Boldly  they  rode  and  well, 
Cowed  by  no  fear  of  death, 
Cowed  by  no  fear  of  hell, 

Rode  the  Eight  Hundred  ! 

in. 

Flashed  all  their  sabres  bare, 
Flashed  all  their  guns  in  air, 
The  gallant  Southrons  there, 
Charging  like  fury,  while 

All  the  world  wondered  ! 
Seeing  no  battery  smoke, 
Their  southern  courage  woke, 
31* 


366  KANSAS. 


Then  rapid  was  their  stroke, 
And  through  the  lines  they  broke, 

And  Lawrence  plundered  ; 
Then  the  ruffians  scampered  back, 

All  the  Eight  Hundred  ! 

IV. 

No  cannon  to  right  of  them, 
No  cannon  to  left  of  them, 
No  cannon  behind  them 

Volleyed  and  thundered  ! 
Stormed  at  by  shot  nor  shell, 
They,  that  had  robbed  so  well 
Ban,  their  exploits  to  tell, 
Back  to  their  dens  again, 
Back  to  their  border-hell, 
The  whole  black  horde  of  them, 

All  the  Eight  Hundred  ! 

v. 

Honor  the  brave  and  bold  ! 
Long  shall  the  tale  be  told, 
Yea,  when  our  babes  are  old, 
How  bravely  they  plundered  ! 

PENNTSON. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 


This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 
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Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 

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